Barking Dogs, Illegal Kennel
During open window season of each year, my life comes unglued because the barking dogs of a neighbor keep me awake. I’m writing this at 5 am and have been awake since 2. It happens a lot. The “neighbor” lives on the street behind us and keeps from one to five “pit bull” type dogs…
During open window season of each year, my life comes unglued because the barking dogs of a neighbor keep me awake. I’m writing this at 5 am and have been awake since 2. It happens a lot.
The “neighbor” lives on the street behind us and keeps from one to five “pit bull” type dogs in a very small chain-link enclosure at the back of their property. The dogs are out there 24/7, 365 days a year. He feeds them pretty regularly, therefore the ASPCA isn’t much interested in the case. Calling 311 and waiting for DEP inspectors is a major waste of time. The dogs never bark when the inspectors are here. The dogs owner/keeper seems really mean, and screams at the dogs every day. I have no idea why he keeps them, the food must cost a lot, and there certainly doesn’t seem to be any love there. I cannot open my windows. I can’t spend time or entertain in my lovely garden. I use the bedroom AC at night even when it isn’t hot, just to drown out the barking, but it’s not always effective. They’re loud! I don’t want to confront the guy, he seems like a jerk who might cause worse problems if provoked. Dozens of people around here must be affected by this problem, but almost never does anyone holler or make a fuss. I hope I don’t lose my tenant upstairs over this, but she’s getting fed up. The community liason officer at the local precinct says he’ll look into it when I see him in person, but never does, and my phone calls go unanswered.
What recourse do I have? I need ideas, or an understanding of the legal aspects. Please don’t suggest that I bring harm to the dogs; it’s really not their fault.
Thanks.
Wow, this is incredible. What a terrible situation. I wish the OP every bit of luck in resolving this situation. I live nearby also.
I’m curious why the dogs don’t keep the owner awake.
I thought it was the law that a dog that kills another has to be put down.
Where exactly are you? I have been hearing some barking, but also some very scary dogfighting noises very early in the morning (5-7), but can’t figure out exactly where they are coming from. Sounds like near the intersection of Decatur or Bainbridge & Malcolm X. Is that near where you are?
Wow, Rescue Ink sounds interesting, hearts in the right place sort of thing. But it would appear they’re all white, and this is BedStuy. Picture it.
Perhaps they’d be more useful if they would endeavor to be more inclusive in their membership roll.
OP here. I like the last suggestion; can’t believe it didn’t occur to me, since Tappy Phillips on Ch 7 did a piece here that did indeed get us our 3 storm windows from a delinquent installer about 4 years ago.
Also, I forgot to mention one important aspect: in April these dogs got loose and got into a nearby back yard on our side and one of them KILLED my neighbor’s Yorkie. She was helpless to do anything but took pics of it happening. It could just as easily have been her little grandson. I think she’s suing.
I’ve often thought maybe this is a Michael Vick situation, but the thing is the dogs are never absent. I suppose it’s possible that they do go to fights and come back, but really, it seems like they are just always there.
I just spoke this afternoon to some other neighbors who are furious about the sleepless nights at the mercy of this bonehead (my term for an inconsiderate dog owner).
I’ll have a look at rescue inc. I’ll have a look at NYCACC. Anything! Thanks for the ideas.
I feel sorry for you and even more sorry for the dogs. In addition to some of the ideas above, can you keep a video journal for a month where you let the tape run for five, ten minutes of continuous barking, with a time and date stamp ? Maybe you’ll get “lucky” and catch the guy yelling at the dogs. Then send copies of the tape to all the local news shows and let them put pressure on the public agencies.
Thanks for the link. Here’s what the old timers on my block have to say about that guy: “He’s a bad man (shaking head), a bad, bad man.” End of story. That’s pretty much what they also say about the block in general (not my block, but the one behind me), but some newcomers there are trying to clean it up.
ooooh rescue ink was an awesome show!!!! is that still on the air?
*rob*
Babs is probably referring to Rescue Ink. http://www.rescueink.org/
Mshook took the words right out of my mouth….Pits are usually total dotes unless trained otherwise.
I’m curious as to why you don’t speak to the “dozens” of neighbors about this. You must know your neighbors, right?? I’m sure there are some old timers around who can spread light on this guy.
ASPCA is no longer THE city shelter. It’s NYCACC now. But keep in mind that they are a kill shelter and those dogs probably won’t last longer than 2 days.
RE: Above.
The NYT did a piece (www.nytimes.com/2008/08/24/nyregion/thecity/24pet.html) on a biker/animal rescue group called Rescue Ink (www.rescueink.org).