Ask the Police guidance explains what actions you can take if your neighbour’s dog keeps barking continuously
Have you ever been kept awake all night by your neighbour’s dog barking? The police have explained what actions you can take in these nightmarish situations – and the options might surprise you.
While some may be tempted to dial 999 or ring the RSPCA, Ask the Police recommends talking to your neighbour in the first instance. This is primarily because they may be completely oblivious to the issue and how much it is affecting you.
However, the authority’s advice is entirely different in cases where noise is continuous or a pet is being mistreated. An online post from Ask the Police explains: “You should speak to your neighbour about the problem, as they may not be aware that it is happening.
“Unless there is any evidence of the dog being mistreated, then the RSPCA will not be able to help. If you do believe that the dog is being mistreated, you can contact the RSPCA via their telephone number 0300 1234 999.
“The noise could be classed as a noise nuisance, so you would need to report it to the Environmental Health department at your local authority. Please see the website in Related Information to report a noise complaint to your local authority.”
You may be surprised to hear that Ask the Police’s advice is also very similar in cases of noisy next-door TVs and blaring music. Crucially, the ‘police have no powers of prosecution for noise offences’ and contacting the neighbour directly is recommended in the first instance.
Yet, for more long-term problems, residents should reach out to the Environmental Health Department at a relevant local authority. Most departments have ’24-hour cover’ and can be contacted anytime.
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Ask the Police’s advice continues: “For long-term problems, you may be asked by your local authority to keep a diary of information about the noise, such as when it occurs, how loud it is etc., and in some cases you may be provided with some equipment to record the noise. These two steps are designed to gather evidence.
“If the council then decides that someone is causing a statutory noise nuisance, they must issue a ‘noise abatement’ order (i.e. a chance for them to turn the noise down), which if broken can lead to a fine, although it is likely they will give your neighbour the opportunity to turn the TV/music down without further action. The whole process can take some time to complete.”
Councils can also issue warning notices for complaints about noise exceeding allowed levels between 11 pm and 7 am. In severe cases, this may escalate to being considered a ‘statutory nuisance’, provided certain conditions are met. If this occurs, a fine of £110 for dwellings or a £500 fine for licensed premises within 14 days may be imposed.
If an individual does not pay the notice or do it on time, it may lead to a conviction and fine of up to £1,000 for dwellings and an unlimited amount for licensed premises.
It is the council’s responsibility to investigate noise complaints regarding:
- Premises, including land like gardens and certain vessels (for example, loud music or barking dogs)
- Vehicles, machinery or equipment in the street (for example, music from car stereos)
Statutory noise nuisance laws do not cover noise from:
- Traffic or planes (they do apply to model planes)
- Political demonstrations and demonstrations about a cause
- Premises occupied by the armed forces or visiting forces
Councils can choose the level of service for handling noise complaints, such as whether to have officers available on call at night. For more information, head to GOV.UK.