Dear J: We live in a rural area where a barking dog can be heard for miles. One neighbor has a dog that barks nonstop and it’s driving all of us crazy. What to do?
It’s helpful to consider that the barking dog is expressing a condition of its owner; as if the owner were chained in the yard and howling. Think of the possibilities: He’s trapped, mindless, doesn’t know what’s happening; he (or she) is neglected or impaired; or perhaps the barking is an expression of rage, hostility.
All of the above? Keeping this in mind, don’t approach the barker’s owner alone. If you feel that you must ask the dog owner to fix the situation, you may be met with any or all of the above circumstances in human form.
Barring that, most municipalities have an animal control officer for just this purpose. Multiple reports from neighbors can speed intervention.
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