Who's Right?My neighbour's dog barks all day long: what can I do?
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In short
In France, a dog that barks often, for long periods or loudly can count as an abnormal neighbourhood nuisance, day or night, and its owner is responsible. Talk to your neighbour first, then write to them, then go to a mediator, the town hall or the courts.
Both sides
I work from home three days a week. As soon as Moussa leaves in the morning, his dog starts barking, sometimes for an hour straight, several times a day. I have video calls, I can't focus anymore, and by evening I'm on edge. I've mentioned it to him twice on the stairs and he said it would pass. That was three months ago.
I adopted Pilou four months ago. He's a year old and still getting used to living in a flat. I work, so I can't stay home all day, but I take him on long walks every morning and evening. Since I never hear him bark, it's hard for me to know how bad it is. And honestly, the note slipped under my door really upset me.
The verdict
On the substance, Camille is right. A dog barking for an hour at a time, several times a day, for months, goes beyond the normal noise of a building. It's up to the owner to deal with it, even if he isn't there to hear it.
Moussa isn't acting in bad faith: he walks his dog, he has a job, and the problem is new to him. But answering 'it'll pass' for three months leaves his neighbour to put up with it. Not hearing the barking doesn't mean you shouldn't check.
On Camille's side, the note under the door made things tenser. Writing things down is useful, as long as it's signed, factual and comes after a real conversation. Hence 65% for Camille and 35% for Moussa.
The compromise
Moussa films his dog during one day away to see how bad the barking is, then sees a dog trainer or sets up daytime care on some days within the month. Meanwhile, Camille logs the barking times for two weeks, and they sit down together again on a date agreed in advance.
What the rules say
In France, the Public Health Code (article R1336-5) says that no particular noise may, through its duration, repetition or intensity, disturb the peace of the neighbourhood. This also applies when the noise comes from an animal in someone's care. Barking is one of the everyday noises that can lead to a fine.
During the day, according to service-public.gouv.fr, a noise can be an abnormal neighbourhood nuisance if it is repetitive, intense or long-lasting. Between 10 pm and 7 am, it is called night-time disturbance: the offence can apply even without those criteria, but the person responsible must be aware of the disturbance and do nothing to fix it.
The recommended steps are gradual: talk to your neighbour, then send a simple letter, then a registered letter with proof of receipt. If your neighbour rents, also write to the landlord. After that, you can turn to a court conciliator, the landlord, the building's managing agent, a local mediator, the town hall, or a commissaire de justice (court officer) who can record the nuisance officially. As a last resort, you can take the matter to court. Local or prefectoral bylaws and your building's co-ownership rules may add local requirements, so check with your town hall or managing agent.
Sources:
- Troubles de voisinage : bruits de comportement (service-public.gouv.fr)
- Troubles du voisinage : que faire en cas de nuisances ? (masecurite.interieur.gouv.fr)
- Article R1336-5 - Code de la santé publique - Légifrance (legifrance.gouv.fr)
General information, not legal advice.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I complain about barking before 10 pm?
Yes. In France, a noise can be an abnormal neighbourhood nuisance during the day too, if it is repetitive, intense or long-lasting. The 10 pm cut-off only applies to night-time disturbance.
My neighbour rents: who should I write to?
Write to your neighbour and also to the landlord, ideally by registered letter with proof of receipt. The landlord can ask the tenant to stop the nuisance.
Can I call the police about a barking dog?
Yes, that's one of the options, especially at night between 10 pm and 7 am. For a nuisance that happens every day, the town hall, a court conciliator or a court officer is often a better fit.
How do I prove the dog barks all day?
Keep a precise log of days, times and how long it lasts over several weeks, and keep copies of your letters. Statements from other neighbours and an official report from a court officer make your case stronger.
What can the owner do if the dog barks when left alone?
Often the dog is bored or struggles with being alone. A dog trainer, a midday dog walker, shared care or gradually getting the dog used to being alone often makes a big difference.
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