Neighbors deny their dogs bark

DEAR AMY >> My wife and I have lived in a quiet neighborhood for 22 years.

Four months ago, new neighbors moved in.

We endured three months of noisy renovations, construction, tree removals, etc. before they moved in.

Over the last month their two dogs have been left outside barking at 6 a.m., and then barking for 90 minutes at 6 p.m., and finally from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

This was the final straw. I texted them three times and told them this was unacceptable, and finally that I would be calling the police (I didn’t call).

They texted back the next day that they were away, and that we would discuss the situation.

They came back and said that their daughter was home and that their dogs were in the house the whole time. They said it wasn’t their dogs barking.

We got a denial, and no apologies were offered.

Now they have the nerve to be mad at us. They aren’t talking to us.

Any suggestions? — Perplexed Neighbors

DEAR NEIGHBORS >> It would have been very easy for your neighbors to own up to this and apologize, and a sincere apology on their part might have inspired you to feel more tolerant. But — they went another way.

And while I feel very sorry for you, I feel especially sorry for these dogs, because they are being kept in a neglectful household.

Even on quiet streets, stuff occasionally happens. Neighbors have to be tolerant of lapses and occasional disruptions. But if this dog situation is happening daily, or every weekend, or every time the neighbors are away, then you should do what you can to get their attention.

Look up the noise statute in your area. There will likely be a special mention of barking dogs (this is a very common noise complaint). You might be instructed to call the non-emergency number of the police department, animal control or the humane society. You have already warned them that you would do this; now you should be prepared to follow through.

Keep a dog diary. Make careful notes of the times and duration of the dog’s barking (it might be less often, and of shorter duration than you think). If necessary, record audio or video, especially of the latenight barking.

Noise statutes are there to codify this problem and to give you a path toward relief.