Yes, we concede dogs bark. But dogs that bark all hours of the day and night at every passing car or pedestrian, bird or gust of wind are enough to drive you dilly. So, what do you do? You have already asked your neighbor to keep the dogs inside or do whatever is required to keep them quiet but this has fallen on what can only be deaf ears.
The fact of the matter is that noise control regulations are governed by Section 25 of the Environment Conservation Act. According to these regulations; no person shall allow an animal owned or controlled by him or her to cause a noise nuisance. A noise nuisance is any sound which disturbs or impairs, or may disturb or impair, the convenience or peace of any person.
I recently met with JMPD Superintendent Edna Momonyane and according to her, if the neighbours barking dogs are disturbing you, you can contact the JMPD call center on 011 375-9511 and lay a complaint. The JMPD will dispatch an officer to investigate your complaint and, if the officer finds that a noise nuisance is indeed being caused, a written notice will be issued to the owner, occupier or person causing the noise to take the required steps to prevent the noise nuisance from occurring.
Should your neighbour not comply with the written notice, the JMPD officer can issue a fine of R500 for the contravention of the relevant regulation or for failing to comply with a written notice, or the municipality may even go so far as to impound the animal in question.
Remedies are available to you, but as with everything in life, exercise tolerance and good neighbourliness before you resort to calling the cops.
Garry is also the host of The Laws of Life on cliffcentral.com
