Guest Post Segment
Today, we have a really interesting post about what to do if mew have noisy neighbours.
Mew would think here in the rather sleepy village of Mewton-Clawson that things are purretty ideal. Well, we're going to shatter that illusion for mew right now.
There are some peeps who live along the Main Street that own lovely K9's of all sizes; now some of these peeps don't think about anyone else who lives here because they leave their K9's outside to bark all day. One family has four labradors who bark at anything that moves, whether it be a falling leaf off a tree or someone walking by, and it can begin at 6am right up to 11 or 12pm.
The P.A. is not a stranger to owning dogs and has had many as five at any one time, from tiny terriers to quite large alsatian cross labradors. And over the years there were multiple K9 rescues, and many of them needed rehabilitation from being mistreated by their previous owners, so we do understand the challenges for some K9 pawrents especially if their anipal furiend has been previously abused.
And while we really do like our dog-buddies, we are a bit fed up with all the barking. So when we were approached about doing a guest post on noisy neighbours, we asked the question:
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT NOISY NEIGHBOURHOOD DOGS?
Anyhoo, us cats are sick of it interrupting our naps and mew guys know what it's like when your sleep gets continually interrupted, it makes for a very grumpy kitty and Amber is getting supurr crotchety about it all!
So let's see what advice an expert has to offer on a situation like this.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT NOISY NEIGHBOURHOOD DOGS?
By
Amanda Hamilton is Chief Executive of the
National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP)
Over lockdown, many of us have spent more time than ever before at home. Some of us have even been trying to work from home with children and cats to look after. And what of our neighbours? Perhaps you have only just realised how noisy their dogs are, or perhaps they’ve always been that way and you’re unsure whether there is anything you can do about it.
The good news is, there is something that can be done!
Every local or district council has an environmental health department. These teams are known as ‘Noise or Nuisance Teams’.
A nuisance can relate not just to noise that stops you doing what you normally do, for example, sleeping or watching television or even having a conversation with someone in your own home, it also includes odours, fumes, dust, smoke and fireworks (with the exception of certain festivals when times for fireworks may be extended). In fact, a nuisance can be anything that may interfere with the enjoyment of your own home.
There are certain things that noise teams are unable to deal
with such as noise relating to traffic, planes, trains and some domestic noises
such as, footsteps, crying babies, kitchen appliances and doors opening or
closing.
Everything else is actionable. For example, neighbours with dogs barking outside all day and/or night. Once this has been reported to the department, they instruct a team that then contacts you to enquire whether the noise is still going on. If it is, they come round and experience the noise from your home. If they believe that the noise is excessive, they can initially talk to the neighbours to ask them to refrain and give them a warning. Once the first visit has taken place, a letter gets sent to the neighbours confirming the Noise Team’s visit and explaining that, if the team is requested to visit again, a second warning will be given. On a third visit, the Team has the right to serve a notice threatening prosecution and/or seizure of equipment.
If you have a nuisance or noisy neighbouring dog start by trying to reason with the owners. Let them know that their actions are impacting your life and ask if they are able to stop their dog barking. Sometimes people are simply not aware of the impact of their actions.
However, if reasoning fails, and the neighbours refuse to change their behaviour, then don’t be tempted to threaten them or resort to retaliation tactics, call the ‘noise team’ of your local council. It will help a lot if you have been able to keep a diary of the dates, times and type of disruption. This will help the noise team. The noise team need to hear the noise or witness the disruption for themselves, so if you can determine a pattern, this will help them visit at the appropriate time and can move the process forward much quicker. Also keep a log of your conversations with your neighbour about the disruption, and their responses.
If you still have trouble, or the noise team haven’t provided the remedy you are seeking, you could always apply to the court for an injunction. This is an order from the court, that can have a power of arrest attached, which forces the neighbour to cease the noise. This is where a paralegal can help. A paralegal is trained and educated to assist consumers to make applications to courts and give advice. They are not solicitors, so their fees are lower and they are therefore very cost-effective.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amanda
Hamilton is Chief Executive of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals
(NALP), a non-profit Membership Body and the only Paralegal body that is
recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual (the regulator of
qualifications in England). Through its Centres, accredited recognised
professional paralegal qualifications are offered for a career as a paralegal
professional.
See: http://www.nationalparalegals.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NationalAssocationsofLicensedParalegals/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-hamilton-llb-hons-840a6a16/
Well that was supurr informative, many thanks to Amanda for sharing all that invaluable info with us today and if mew've got nuisance or noisy neighbours, then at least mew have some idea of how to deal with rectifying it and restoring some calm to your life.
Amber will be here tomorrow with another fabulous book to share, so do stop by the library to say hi if mew get a chance as mew know how much she loves your visits.
Until next time
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