Herbie being harassed by crazy neighbour!

Hi all,

I know I haven't posted in a long time. Sorry - been so busy! I'm looking into buying a laptop so maybe I'll have a chance to get back on here more often.

Anyways, Herbie the Love Pug has been fantastic! He's so much fun, and getting to be well trained. Sure, he still has his issues, but wer'e working on them. One issue he's never had has been barking! In fact, I think he's barked maybe 3 times in my presence, and always in a fit of other puppy vocalizations and only ever one bark in isolation. I just think he doesn't quite know how to bark like a dog! ;)

Anyways, my apartment complex has tons of dogs. Lots of them bark, but I don't mind, that's life. I have yet to find it such a nuisance that I would complain.

All that said - there's a man in our apartment complex who has decided that Herbie the Love Pug is ruining his life with his "non stop barking". There are so many reasons why this is both false and insane:

1) The main reason: HERBIE DOESN'T BARK!

2) This man is not our direct neighbour - in fact, he lives in a seperate part of the apartment complex, very far from our section!

3) Not one of our direct neighbours has ever complained about Herbie - in fact, they've even told me how impressed they are by his quietness! They all love him!

4) There are SO MANY other dogs that this could be - I have no idea why he's targeting Herbie!

Last night he stopped me and said the next time he heard barking he would call the SPCA on Herbie - in such a horrible, accusatory tone. I told him, he could do whatever he wanted, because Herbie isn't barking - and that he needed proof if he wanted to take any action. Is this true? Am I safe in assuming that he needs direct proof of his complaint with either police or the SPCA or any other authorities before they can take any kind of action?

He has already lodged complaints with our super blaming Herbie. Our super is being terribly irresponsible and saying that WE have to prove that it's not Herbie. It shouldn't be our responsibility!!

Well, that's all folks... any feedback or advice would be much appreciated here.

I'm not sure what he would be attempting to accomplish by calling the SPCA (unless there are specific laws that allow the SPCA to investigate animal related noise complaint in your province). I'm certain that the police have better things to do than investigate a dog barking in an apartment! It really sounds like a building complex owner / management situation. How do you 'prove' that it is not your dog barking? You really can't. It is very difficult to prove a negative (i.e. prove that I did not open a book this weekend), because all it takes is for one occurance (i.e. a bark) and they can say 'see, your dog is barking".

Invite you super to come in and meet your dog; also tell him to come by just to listen - he should soon find out that it is not yours who is barking. Ask him to speak with your neighbours to see if they've ever been disturbed. If your super is automatically siding against you, you could always contact the building owner and explain the you are being singled out for some reason.

Do you have the ability to set up a web cam for a day when you are not there? You might find that it picks up all sorts of dogs barking, none of whom are Herbie.

Been wondering how Herbie is doing.:)

If you know your neighbours, ask them if they will sign a paper you can draw up, saying that your dog does not bark and disturbs no one.

Am I safe in assuming that he needs direct proof of his complaint with either police or the SPCA or any other authorities before they can take any kind of action?

The SPCA certainly has nothing to do with barking dogs, unless the dog is being seriously abused or neglected.

He can call the police, and if they come and hear no barking they will do nothing either.

Just ignore him and don't worry about it. When I was in an apt, I had someone complain that my two 7 week old kittens were making too much noise, running over my carpeted floor. :rolleyes:

Don't worry - 1st SPCA will not do anything about dog barking - never mind anything else ...

2nd the police won't either. In the worst case scenerio - officials must witness an unattended animal for 20 minutes b4 issueing even a ticket.

I would just ignore him and carry on with your day - and if he continues to bother you - go to your nearest police station and file a harrassement charge. That alone will help you in the future - should this continue ...

MHO of course! Good luck

:eek:

Wow! Seems to me that some people in your buildings are extremely NUTS! First of all... tell your super to have him prove that it IS Herie barking. That's like arresting someone randomly for a murder and saying "well prove you didn't do it"... innocent till proven guilty!!! Definitely get affirmations from your neighbors stating that Herbie never makes a peep. Just is case you need it, however in my opinion you can probably just ignore this nutbag and go on with life like it never happened. He can't do anything unless pets are not allowed in your building.

Hi guys,

thanks so much for all your feedback. I think I knew the SPCA would be irrelevant here, but I was panicking because I was scared that somehow, someone would take Herbie away from me! :( I even had a nightmare about it last night!

Anyways, just to put everyone's mind at total ease (although we knew Herbie wasn't the guilty barker) I had my boyfriend go home in the morning at a time when Herbie would never be expecting him (he does come home for lunch to see Herbie). Anyways, my boyfriend did indeed hear the barking in question... and it was coming from nowhere near my apartment. For some reason, this evil neighbour has targeted me because I happen to walk Herbie often and therefore see him more often than others with their dogs might (he never speaks to my boyfriend when he's walking Herb, what's up with that?).

Anyways, I'm not really worried anymore. Just mad that I may have to deal with this nut and get stressed our for no reason. :mad:

Why are some people so annoying? :mad:

thanks again guys! And good to see everyone... familiar faces or not! :thumbs up

do a doggie spy day. i wondered how my girl was behaving when i was out, so i got my dictaphone andset it up near her space, and left a 4 hour tape in it.... well thatwas the most boring thing i had ever listened to, mainly birds calling, the dog didnt do anything... and it was reassuring to know alos provides evidence if ever anyone complained, our law states that a dog can bark for 10min out of every hour and not be considered a problem, over that time and it is a prob....

so i suggest you set up a camera or dictaphone and tape herbie, and that way you will have evidence for that stupid neighbor....

also tell you immeadiate neighbors that if they hear anythign can thay let you know asap, that way you will have a more true account of your dogs behaviour.......

but doggy spy cam is the best suggestion i have, it may be very broing to watch afterward when you dog does nothing but at least it is solid evidence, perhaps show it to your super and suggest that they find out whos other dog it is....

good luck :thumbs up

While it may not make you feel better about it, its most likely that the person in question is just pissed off at the barking dog and taking it out on you. Like you said, you walk your dog often so he sees you more than others.

I wouold guess its just him 'venting' more than anything else and you happen to be more visible than the other dog owners.

~

I say get a little note from your neighbours on each side of you stating it isn't your dog ;)