Woman receives alarming note threatening her dog from own neighbour!
A pet owner from Yarra Valley, Victoria was left astounded after discovering a handwritten note from an unidentified neighbour that seemed to threaten to kill her dog.
The message, conspicuously placed, read:
‘Homeowner, can you please shut your dog up from barking all the time, neighbours are concerned including us. We don't want to see it get baited, especially at three o'clock [in the morning after] non-stop barking.’
While many social media users criticised the note, others had more nuanced feelings about the neighbour's response to the loud dog, with some sympathising with the frustration of hearing a dog bark nonstop, saying it's ‘crazy how pet owners can continue to let them bark’.
Others thought it wasn't right to send an anonymous note without a way to ‘call and talk about it.’
The Yarra Ranges Council advises residents to first approach pet owners with 'friendly' conversations when addressing concerns about barking dogs.
A spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia, ‘Often, dog owners might be unaware of the excessive barking. Initiating a friendly dialogue can sometimes resolve the issue without further steps.’
For those who feel hesitant about direct communication, the council recommends writing a letter to the dog owner.
They also suggest including specific times when the dog becomes a nuisance and even offer sample letter templates on their website for guidance.
Should these approaches fail to resolve the situation, residents have the option to lodge a formal complaint with the council—an option available across councils Australia-wide.
Unfortunately, disagreements about pet disturbances can escalate and, as we all know, aren't just isolated to Yarra Valley.
Earlier this year, a resident on the Gold Coast was shaken up after finding a menacing note on their doorstep.
The note criticised their dog for its barking, ending with an ominous hint at the dog potentially becoming ‘sick’.
For more on that story, click here.
How to stop dogs from barking at night
In closely-knit neighbourhoods, reducing a dog's natural tendency to bark at night is important to avoid disturbing your neighbours.
Here's how you can manage it:
Members, what are your thoughts on this incident? Have you faced similar challenges with neighbours regarding pet noises? How did you approach the situation? We'd love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
The message, conspicuously placed, read:
‘Homeowner, can you please shut your dog up from barking all the time, neighbours are concerned including us. We don't want to see it get baited, especially at three o'clock [in the morning after] non-stop barking.’
While many social media users criticised the note, others had more nuanced feelings about the neighbour's response to the loud dog, with some sympathising with the frustration of hearing a dog bark nonstop, saying it's ‘crazy how pet owners can continue to let them bark’.
Others thought it wasn't right to send an anonymous note without a way to ‘call and talk about it.’
The Yarra Ranges Council advises residents to first approach pet owners with 'friendly' conversations when addressing concerns about barking dogs.
A spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia, ‘Often, dog owners might be unaware of the excessive barking. Initiating a friendly dialogue can sometimes resolve the issue without further steps.’
For those who feel hesitant about direct communication, the council recommends writing a letter to the dog owner.
They also suggest including specific times when the dog becomes a nuisance and even offer sample letter templates on their website for guidance.
Should these approaches fail to resolve the situation, residents have the option to lodge a formal complaint with the council—an option available across councils Australia-wide.
Unfortunately, disagreements about pet disturbances can escalate and, as we all know, aren't just isolated to Yarra Valley.
Earlier this year, a resident on the Gold Coast was shaken up after finding a menacing note on their doorstep.
The note criticised their dog for its barking, ending with an ominous hint at the dog potentially becoming ‘sick’.
For more on that story, click here.
How to stop dogs from barking at night
In closely-knit neighbourhoods, reducing a dog's natural tendency to bark at night is important to avoid disturbing your neighbours.
Here's how you can manage it:
- Deal with barking quickly to stop it from getting worse.
- Find out why your dog barks, like if they're scared or bored, and address it.
- Ensure your dog exercises and has things to do every day.
- Give your dog a quiet place inside to sleep, maybe using a crate.
- Reward your dog to help them stay calm and keep a regular routine.
- If outside sounds bother them, use white noise or soft music.
- If barking continues, think about getting help from a dog trainer.
- Don't use devices like e-collars as they can cause more problems.
Key Takeaways
- A Victoria resident got a note threatening her dog over its barking.
- Local opinion on the note's approach was divided.
- The Yarra Ranges Council advises ‘friendly’ dialogue first, then letter-writing.
- If the situation remains unresolved, residents can lodge an official complaint with their local council