The Problem: Neighbor allows their dog to bark by
leaving it in driveway starting at 7 a.m.
Dog barks at passing dogs on way to dog
run in park. Other dogs passing by are mostly trained not to bark, but not my neighbor's. They let him bark for a while, then
bring him inside, only to release him later and
start the cycle all over -- up to 10 times a day!
Owner was contacted several times, with dimishing results,
over the years (very selfish). Short, dismissive replies, as if she does not condescend to discuss the matter. Animal Control called and they say no citation unless the dog barks ten continuous
minutes! Nothing about how many times a day, just this duration test, otherwise, no dice!
This dog has a visceral, deep, throaty
bark that pierces even double pane windows.
I involuntarily wake up every morning a little after
seven a.m. when the barking starts. I would like to sleep in.
I'm retired. After this, I'm in a foul mood
the next few hours, because I know soon enought the dog willbreak out barking again, because it has been returned to the place in the driveway where it sees everything the passes by. The barking lasts about a minute, sometimes (rarely) with one or two passing dogs arguing back. The barking recommences at about 9 a.m.
Again at about 2. Again, and more duration around 4-5.
Again around 8. And if visitors come, the dog goes into paroxyms when they approachthe neighbor's house.
My heart starts pounding and my blood pressure goes up. I get upset at my helplessness. I feel trapped without a solution.
I called this neighbor on the phone to ask her to please consider keeping the dog in the back yard instead of the side, so it wouldn't be set off by passing dog walkers. "I most ceratainly will not"
was the haughty reply. A letter I sent received a reply that, what do I expect, "dogs bark. (XX Dog's name) is a part of our family.
I wish you would be more tolerant."
So if appeals to consideration don't work, and animal control services
needs a ten minute calamity to do anything, what am I
supposed to do, let this neighbor run all over me?
I have put up with this for at least ten years, and
how long is patience supposed to last? Mediation with this neighbor,
with this problem of a decade, is not going to work. Too intractable.
The Bar Association Referral Service suggested going to small claims court to sue for nuisance, maximum of $5000. Why do neighbors act this way in Palo Alto????? Is it so hard to respect others? It's not the dog's problem, it's the owners who haven't a clue.
