Neighbours´ dogs barking on a Community

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Posted and filed under Legal Issues in Spain, Local area.

Are your neighbours’ dogs barking continuously? Here is what to do…..

1. Firstly, you need to approach the neighbours in a positive and friendly manner, explain the problem calmly. They may not have realized the dogs were causing a nuisance, and things might improve after speaking nicely to them about it.

2. Wait for a week or so to see if they do anything to try and solve the problem of the dogs barking.

3. If the problem continues, try speaking to other neighbours to see if anyone else is having the same difficulties. Also, report the problem to the President of your urbanisation and/or the administrator. Ask their advice on what to do next.

4. After this, if the problem continues, you are within your rights to go to the local Guardia Civil and make an official complaint. It may turn out that others have already done the same and they will investigate the situation to see if any laws are being broken. If you have a recording of the dogs barking this could help your case against them. The more people that go and make a complaint the stronger the case. However, dogs barking during the day may not necessarily mean that any laws are being broken.

If you suspect any mistreatment of any animal, you must report this to Seprona at the Guardia Civil office immediately. If you feel that nothing has been done by the police to assist the situation, go and speak with them again. Don’t just assume they didn´t do anything about it. Dog owners can end up with big fines and even end up having their pets removed if they do not abide by the law. Always take a translator with you if you do not speak Spanish.

5. Never go into the police station whilst angry or raise your voice or you will not be taken seriously and possibly asked to leave.

We are delighted to help with any issues you have in Spain. We are legal, property, tax and fiscal professionals. We are currently getting a lot of requests and questions regarding individual communities, committees, roles of the president etc. Really, you need to speak to your administrators if your request is how to replace or reprimand your president or other members of the community. It is just not something that we can advise on without all the information that the administrators have at hand. It is their job to help you as a resident and we are sure they will be happy to.

39 Comments

  • Ian Roderick

    Help! We have a big problem with a dog nextdoor! Outs left out.24/7 and barks at all times of the night. We have tried with our landlord who called guarda civil.the first time and it stopped for a week. We then contacted her again to be told she can’t help?? She won’t give us the administrator or president.of block. We have been to town hall who didn’t want to know and have been calling all police services myself but they don’t speak English! I’m a bus driver and can’t get good sleep because of this dog. We live in gran alacant. Any help or direction be a great help. We are on our own with this the owners just don’t care.

    • Amanda Thomas

      Hi Ian, I am so sorry to hear this. The Administrator or President can’t really do anything. Our lawyer said the only option is the police and the dog has to be barking when they come. If you cannot get any joy calling the police (you should be able to speak English on 062) then I would advise you to go in person to the police station with a translator and say you have called the police before. Good luck.

  • Jasper French

    I have dog barking deterrent devices , I have spoken to owners I have spoken to dogs but still they bark throughout the day and night what more can I do ???

    • Nicola Ryan

      Good Morning Jasper,

      It would be best to keep a record of when the dogs bark at night and for how long. Here in Spain you are not allowed to make any noise after 12pm, if it continues and the owner is not co-operating this would be a matter for the Guarda Civil. We hope this helps.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Paul Anderson

    We live in a row of small tarrace houses on a small urbanisation. Recently the house next door was rented to some Spanish people, who brought with them 5 dogs. They come and go alot leaving the dogs alone on the rear patio. The dogs continually bark day and night. The patio is full of dog fouling. We cant get hold of the neighbours to have a word. Should we denounce them.

    • Nicola Ryan

      Good Morning Paul,

      We understand your frustration.

      Yes, it would be best to denounce the dog owner but here in Spain it is not an offence to cause noise before midnight. You could call the Police when the dogs are barking at night and also keep a log of when the dogs are barking at night and for how long, when you have a record you could then denounce the owner and if you have neighbours who feel the same, they could denounce the owner also. We hope this helps.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Harleysargeuk

    What happens after you denounce them

    • Nicola Ryan

      Good Afternoon Harley,

      The Police will look at the case and decide to investigate or not.

      We hope this helps.
      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Kerry

    Constant dog barking opposite our home owners sit outside constantly letting the dogs bark never telling them to shut up. People walk past they bark cars drive past they bark constantly we cant sit in our garden or read a book we have to use ear plugs please help what can we do

    • Amanda Thomas

      Hi Kerry, I understand it must be frustrating. It is all in the article but during the State of Alarm you cannot go to to the police for this, it would have to wait, nor approach the Community. I am sorry. Kind regards

  • Angela Burden

    Hi we live on a community of 66 houses the house next door is rented they have 3 dogs which two of them are tied up outside during the day they bark at every little thing that goes by. The owner has been told are President has been told but to no good. What is our best option to help deal with this it’s getting to the point I’m going to have a breakdown.

    • Amanda Thomas

      Dear Angela, I am sorry but the only options to you are detailed on this post, with kind regards

  • Nia

    Is there any chance that anything can be done if the dog barks during the day and evening only? The neighbours take it inside before midnight, but the dog barks most of the day, every three to six minutes, ear-piercingly loudly, and even with windows shut we get no respite. It has made me ill, and that’s getting worse, so we might need to move house, but we cannot afford this. The neighbours are in and they know this is a problem for us, but all they do is occasionally scream ‘calla!’ at the dog which doesn’t help. There are many dogs in our neighbourhood, but none barks as often and loudly as this one.
    Is there really nothing at all we can do if it happens during the day only?

    • Amanda Thomas

      Dear Nia, Sorry, I know it must be awful but I think all that you can do is described in the article. You could record it to show the police, Kind regards

  • Donna

    I live on a Urbanisation in Cabo Roig, our next door neighbours have two dogs that are kept outside every night. The barking doesn’t stop through the night it’s really bad between 3 and 6 am. They also bark during the day but we know there is nothing we can do about that. A number of residents are very unhappy as this has been going on for months.

    • Nicola Ryan

      Good Morning Donna,

      Thank you for your enquiry.

      Firstly, it is important that you discuss your concerns with your neighbour. This will allow them to rectify the situation, as they may not be aware. It can also be brought to the attention of the president/administrator if there is no resolution. We hope this helps.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Kerrie

    Hello. We are landlords we rent out property to a man and his small and very old jack Russell. On occasions his friends dogs visit one ia a small dog the other is a rottweiler cross. Is it our responsibility as landlords to make sure all the correct paperwork is in place for a dog that visits and will sometimes stay overnight? This rottweiler cross is 11 years old and very calm, however the neighbours dogs seem to hate it and bark whenever they see her the neighbours have told us its our responsibility. Any advice please

    • Amanda Thomas

      Dear Kerrie, I am sorry but we don’t know the correct paperwork needed for dogs. I think this may be best to be referred to the Citizens Advice Bureau, as they deal with a wide range of issues, Kind regards

  • Tony Mack

    We have recently returned to our holiday home in Spain near Torrevieja and a neighbour has setup a business in their house close to us. They are providing a dog kennel service which means many dogs are barking throughout the day time which annoys us when we are trying to relax on our much needed break. The neighbours are English and we have not yet spoken to them about this annoyance. My question is, could the neighbour be breaking the law by running a business from home if they do not have a licence or pay business rates. I wish that anyonecwho want to have a kennel business does so in a more isolated location and not on a housing estate.

    • Amanda Thomas

      Dear Tony, Yes of course they could, any business has to have a licence etc. I assume from what you say you are on a Community so also you can talk to the Community Administrator, Kind regards

  • Lyn

    We have a home in La Zenia and there’s a neighbour after renting a house beside us. She has a small dog who never sees the light of day. Barely takes him out for 5 mins to do his business. She locks him up could be for a Day or more , shutters down in the house in complete darkness. Heartbreaking Listening to the poor animal crying . Have approached her over it but Nothing. Such a cruel way to keep a dog. How do we report her for animal Cruelty.

    • Nicola Ryan

      Good Morning Lyn,

      We are sorry to hear of your situation.

      It may be best to denounce your neighbour to the Guarda Civil, they would then be able to report this to the relevant departments. We hope this helps.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Stephanie

    Really quite depressing reading that we basically have to put up with dogs barking constantly ?? Surely this can’t be right ??
    We have put up with neibours dogs barking for around 10 months now ,I started by asking nicely …one of the dogs shrieks at every car ,person noise ,anything …it was 7 hours a day ,left outside ,door was open but no people there…,since complaining they are sometimes shut inside ,which is better but once let out the shrieking starts again ,and she ,the owner actively encourages them to bark…its making me ill,I’m now on tranquillisers from my doctor as I’m struggling to cope some days, …but it was so bad last week I ended up screaming at her to shut them up, I’m now having problems with high BP for which I’m already on medication for…there are sometimes a few days of quiet when her partner is there…we should be grateful I guess .
    But some days it’s constant ,we are not able to sit outside and our quality of life and my health is suffering badly and we are now thinking of moving ,this has been our home for 8 years ,how is it this is allowed to happen ??

    • Nicola Ryan

      We are sorry to hear of your situation.

      On the bad days you could record the noise and let the owner hear the commotion. Maybe they are unaware of how bad the dogs can be. If you are part of the community, you could speak with the president to see if they could help. We hope your situation improves.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Peter

    Same problem here , we have had 2 dogs barking constantly day after day.
    The property owners are aware but are ignorant to the fact , president & administration have been bombarded with complaints from numerous neighbors but up to now it remains the same.
    The police have said if they are left alone all day but have food and water , they can only warn the owners may receive a fine.
    At the present moment we are considering a more aggressive approach to the dog owners as this will be the only lesson they understand.

  • Iona

    We live in an apartment in Madrid and every night at around 4:30 a dog starts howling and doesn’t stop for maybe an hour. Obviously, this has a massive impact on our sleep . The only problem is that we think it is coming from the neighbouring apartment block and therefore not sure of the owner. What would be your suggestions for this situation?

    • Amanda Thomas

      Dear Iona, There is not a lot you can do, but maybe try to make contact with the Administrators of that apartment block, Kind regards,

  • Elizabeth

    Our neighbour not only leaves his dogs to bark all day and night but puts the music on really loud thinking this helps when he is out!? I’ve spoken to home several times and he doesn’t want to admit his dogs are a nuisance, what can I do? I’m really at my whits end and want to I’ve but it just costs so much….

    • Nicola Ryan

      Thank you for your enquiry Lainey,

      This would be a matter for the Guarda Civil, it would be best to call them when the noise is at its worst, we hope this helps.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Lainey

    Our neighbour not only leaves his dogs to bark all day and night but puts the music on really loud thinking this helps when he is out!? They are aggressive, so loud and just seem to bark at everyone and anything, I saw a chap nearly come off his bike and a little girl jumped into the road because they make everyone jump. I feel something bad will happen soon. I’ve spoken to home several times he says he will cover the gates up but never does and he doesn’t want to admit his dogs are a nuisance, what can I do? I’m really at my whits end and want to move now, but it just costs so much…. :(

    • Nicola Ryan

      Thank you for your enquiry Lainey,

      This would be a matter for the Guarda Civil, it would be best to call them when the noise is at its worst, we hope this helps.

      Kind regards
      Nicola

  • Bolly

    Is it illegal to lock a dog up in a steel garden shed day and night barking

    • Nicola Ryan

      Thank you for your enquiry Bolly,

      If the animals welfare is being affected, we would think this is illegal, especially in high temperatures. It would be best to contact the Police when the animal is barking ect and they can then see the situation as a whole. We hope this helps.

      Kind regards
      Nicol a

  • Peter

    The Guardia Civil do not deal with noise complaints. That is local police, who usually shut down at 11pm.
    Are there no National rules about dog noise in Spain?

    • Nicola Ryan

      Thank you for the clarification Peter,

      If you document the issue, take videos, have statements from the other neighbours ect, you can take the information to the Local Police the next day. If the dog is being hit or mistreated, the Guardia would attend. We hope this helps.

      Nicola

  • Janice

    Our neighbours dog barks all day and night, i have recording, i have spoken to them they work nightshift and are in and out all day inky being in house for 5 hours, dog is left out all time his brother comes once a day and waljs the dog even they are in house

    • Amanda Thomas

      Dear Janice, It is sad. Our post details all we can suggest at the present time. With kind regards

  • A.J

    I have lived on this island for 24.5 years, only once did I have to call the police on a neighbors dog, left alone and the owner had left candles burning in the house… However I had to move and where I now live {the owner I have known for 4 years and very kind} I asked if there was any dogs here, she said one small one behind where the Apt is and a few up in the hills…Sadly at thr same time i took this Apt a neighbor grandson came to live and brought a dog, who day and night locked up in an abandoned garage with metal roof, and the echo bouncing straight into my bedroom ..
    The owner of my Apartment called the grandfather and he apologized, it was disturbing him, he didn’t know was disturbing others, he asked his grandson to find it a Finca o somewhere for the nights…He didn’t…Asked again…and again..then in November 1st i started to record barking/howling, and write every minute down…
    This affected my mental health my physical health me emotional health and my spiritual health, I went to my Head Dr, she wrote me informe i took to police (spoke with 4 separate police over last 3/4 weeks, {ALL GIVING ME DIFFERENT INFO}
    I wrote to the Canarian Federation of animals, police went, and since Tuesday night I have slept now for 3 whole nights.
    Search for town local Ayuntamiento Animal federation I wrote in Spanish, but all I want to do is have the right to go to bed and sleep.. Police put thr denuncia, not me, but only after they too try to come to an agreement with not keeping a dog in a garage.
    The new law states 7 places cannot keep an animal, but nowhere does it mention a garage with metal roof. Surely this is worse than the dog on a terrace.
    Anyway, I just thought it’s good to know that going to Drs, getting letters, recording and writing like a diary..We shall see if any repercussion from this,as owner grandson only 19..Take care to all.

  • Diane White

    We are training our dog to stay home max 2 hours. We have alerted the neighbor. He’s complaining. But he has music on till 3.30am. We’ve only been here 3 months the dog isn’t too bad until after 40 mins as we have stayed In the apartment quietly to listen. It’s usually 10.30 am to 12.30 am

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