Not in defense of the owners, but how do you stop a dog from barking?  any tips, short of shooting?

The police can’t do anything immediately. Its not “they won’t”, or “someone is connected” (this is Hartsville - no one is that connected, despite their delusions of grandeur to the contrary).

Barking dogs are just a tough problem. Call the cops every time the dog has been barking late at night for a while. If you get enough complaints, the City can declare the dog a nuisance, fine the owner, and take the dog away.

I have deleted the last comment that listed a specific address. That falls under the personal attack rules.

I’d like to remind everyone that this is not a complaint board. It is a community news site. While we take a fairly expansive definition of the term, in a case like this just saying dogs are barking is on the bubble. Tell us why the police said they couldn’t do anything; talk to the local animal control folks and get their side.

But do not throw an address up as an accusation - that is an ad hominem attack. It won’t fly.
Doug

I’ve had the same problem where I live and found out it doesn’t help to call the police.
Ever heard of a “barker breaker”? I’ve seen it advertised in dog magazines. It is an electronic device that emits an unpleasant sound heard only by dogs and makes them stop barking. A Google search shows several brands available. I think the price starts at around $35.
When I told my neighbor about it, he seemed irritated. I am going to order it anyway. But I would like to know if anyone in Hartsville has ever tried it.
My problem is compounded by the fact that the dogs are right next to my driveway and bark at all my visitors and delivery people and scare them. For a while, the newspaper carrier would not bring me my newspaper. The dogs are tied, but if they break loose, they could hurt someone. The neighbor refuses to move the dogs to the other side of the yard. They bark all day and night long.

I have a similar problem with my neighbor.  One large lonely (often ignored) dog inside a radio fence.  He’s a nice dog, but he barks to get attention…it’s a sad pleading sorta bark that to me is begging anyone to “come play with me.” 
The problem arises when the teenage daughter comes home from a date, late, and sits on the side porch talking with her friend.  The dog can’t reach the side porch, so the barking goes on and on until she finally goes inside.  Also if anyone is working in the garage, “Jake” barks and barks, sometimes til he’s almost hoarse.  No one pays him any attention, aside from food.  It’s sad really.  Why have a dog in this case? 
Other neighbors have their dogs in radio fence, but you never hear them. 

I actaully put a white noise machine in the bedroom to drown out the barking noise. It works well about 90% of the time.  The other 10% of the time, I just get up and make sure he isn’t barking at someone doing mischeif or vandalism, then try to go back to sleep.

I’ve talked to them twice about their dgs, but no changes were made.  I figured they may be the kind of neighbors who just don’t care about infringing on others right to peace.  They don’t care much about their dog, why would I expect them to care anything about a neighbor losing sleep, or not being able to enjoy a quiet morning on the porch with coffee??

I think it’s just what the world has come to, and the only real peace is to move to some large acerage in the country.  I can’t wait for a day when my closest neighbor is 3 miles away.  Two bad neighbors ruin the whole neighborhood experience for me sadly.  I feel powerless.

Anyone want to buy a nice house, cheap , with no real estate commissions??

I was forced to move because the Police and my ex-neighbor would not shut the dog up. Now I live in peace with no stress and neighbors that care for each other.To you out there that have these dogs! Remember you are teaching your childern your bad habits!

There is actually a law in Hartsville that domesticated animals can not be annoying.  I had a chat with an officer this weekend.  He stated there wasn’t any such ordinance but the next day came back by and told me he was wrong and there is an ordinance about domesticated animals being annoying.  So if your neighbor has chickens you are out of luck.

They can fine the owner if a dog is a nuisance (it may be that all officers do not know this) but there is one on the books (so I was told)...

Jimmy: about the bark breakers, they do work, but it can have a far reaching effect on other animals (and actually cause them to bark)...i’ve used them (for training purposes) and it’s better to get a bit more expensive one than the cheaper versions.  there is a difference in how well they work.  please also note that some other animals can hear them (not just dogs, even though that’s what they say)...

Washington: Where can I find the version of the bark breaker you are talking about? I am willing to pay for it if it will bring me a few hours of peace and quiet.

Well, I guess those people must have put on the Goodneighbor act again. I hope that when new people move in the neighborhood, They will take care of the problem themselves. I don’t know why the old people in the neighborhood are affraid of you and your husband. All they do is close their windows and put up with the barking. Like the old song says,“Parents teach your childern well.”