The UK has long had a reputation as a nation of pet lovers. Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, fish and even reptiles are kept in homes across the country. When owners take responsibility for their animals, pets rarely cause trouble for those living nearby.
But pets can sometimes become a source of friction between neighbours. Whether it is a dog that barks for hours, a cat that treats your flower beds as a toilet, or pigeons that create mess on neighbouring properties, these problems can affect your quality of life at home.
If you are experiencing issues with a neighbour's pet, there are practical steps you can take. Most situations can be resolved without formal action, though sometimes you may need to involve your local council or other authorities.
Common pet problems between neighbours
Dogs are frequently reported as the main source of complaints. Persistent barking is a particular problem, especially when owners are out at work and unaware their dog is making noise. Dogs that foul pavements or shared spaces, and those that behave aggressively towards people or other animals, also cause regular disputes.
Cats tend to roam freely, and this can lead to complaints about them digging up gardens, fouling lawns or frightening wildlife. While cats roaming is culturally accepted and tolerated under common law, owners may still be liable for damage their pets cause, which can make these disputes complicated to resolve.
Bird keepers, particularly those with pigeons or large aviaries, may cause problems through droppings landing on neighbouring properties, noise from birds calling, or concerns about pests being attracted to feed. Exotic pets and unusual animals can also raise concerns about noise, smell or safety, though these situations are less common.
It is also worth being aware that some neighbours may have allergies or phobias relating to certain animals. Letting neighbours know about your pets can help prevent misunderstandings before they arise.
Check your legal rights in any neighbour dispute. Takes 1 minute.
Try our Neighbour Rights Checker free, here on this site →Your rights and responsibilities as a pet owner
Pet owners have a duty to ensure their animals do not unreasonably interfere with their neighbours' enjoyment of their own homes. This means keeping noise to acceptable levels, preventing fouling in public or shared spaces, and making sure animals are properly controlled.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, owners must meet their pets' basic needs. A dog that barks constantly may be distressed or bored, which could itself be a welfare concern. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 allows local councils to treat excessive animal noise as a statutory nuisance, giving them powers to intervene.
Dog owners have specific legal responsibilities. The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 makes it an offence for a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place or a private place where it is not permitted to be. Owners must also ensure their dogs do not foul public spaces, with fines applying in most areas. Dogs must be microchipped, and since 2024 microchipping has become compulsory for cats as well.
For the current rules on dog control and ownership responsibilities, check the guidance on GOV.UK.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Steps to resolve pet problems
Start by speaking to your neighbour directly. Many people are genuinely unaware their pet is causing a problem, particularly with barking that happens while they are out. A calm, polite conversation will often be enough to prompt a solution.
Keep a record of incidents if the problem continues. Note the dates, times and nature of each disturbance. This evidence will be useful if you need to take the matter further.
If talking does not work, you can contact your local council. Environmental health teams can investigate noise complaints and, where appropriate, issue warnings or abatement notices. For aggressive dogs or animal welfare concerns, the council's animal control service or the RSPCA may be able to help.
Mediation is another option. Many councils offer free or low cost neighbour mediation services that can help both parties reach an agreement without the stress of formal complaints.
When problems persist
If informal approaches fail and the council has not resolved matters, you may have further options. Persistent noise that amounts to a statutory nuisance can lead to prosecution of the pet owner. In serious cases involving dangerous dogs, the police may become involved.
You can also pursue a civil claim for nuisance through the courts, though this can be costly and time consuming. It is worth seeking advice from a solicitor before taking this route, as the process and prospects of success vary significantly between cases. Exhausting other options first is usually sensible.
For disputes involving cats, your options are more limited. Practical measures such as cat deterrent devices or protective netting may prove more effective than formal complaints.
Most pet related neighbour disputes can be settled with patience and clear communication. Where that is not possible, local councils and mediation services can provide support before matters escalate.
Not sure anyone can help so perhaps this is just some catharsis.
Had issues with various neighbours for years, from antisocial behaviour, property damage and general aggression. We are a super quiet family, I don't socialise with neighbours - my next door neighbours are lovely, the others, not so much.
Had two run ins lately with an older couple (baby boomers) who seem to have an issue with their cat coming into OUR garden.
The neighbours have come onto our property without permission looking for this cat, which has been eating our cat's food. We have had to keep our cat in most of the time now to mitigate issues with these individuals.
The erratic and aggressive behaviour from these people is unreal, it has led me to wonder if they are psychologically unsound, or have dementia/pre dementia, as this level of aggression about a trivial matter is bizarre.
When I suggested that they keep their cat indoors if they are afraid of it wandering, the male seemed as if I had asked him to turn water into wine - he was incredulous that I had made such a suggestion! The females at this property had previously tried to enter our property by force, breaking our letterbox and trying to force the front door.
They also have roped one of their friends in to harass us, who also live a few doors down.
This behaviour is having an effect on my mental and physical health, and that of my family. I have tried to be sympathetic as they seem deranged, but my understanding has run out now.
I am sorry for anyone else going through this nonsense.
Thing is it lives with a family with kids etc - just don’t get it!
The 'owner 'of the cat has now put up a notice without name or contact details outside the entrance to the block of flats where I live stating 'do not feed my cat or let it into your flat or I will report you'
It is astonishing and possessive for the owner to suddenly show an interest in the cat, which she has clearly neglected for over a year.
I do not wish to talk to the owner as she is a rather rough type of person and I do not want any aggravation.
I would happily adopt the cat.
What can I do! The poor cat is intittled to a loving home, shelter and regular good food, without begging from neighbours.
I'm more than happy to discuss this with the neighbour and keep cats in at certain times I work different hours a day so could work it out. What can i do as I don't want any problems? I can't keep them in 24hours as they get miserable as they've both always been out never had a cat before these not sure where I stand . If it's the neighbour I think her husband feeds my friends cats treats. I'd hate to have to rehome my cat. My friends isn't an option for rehoming as it's all she has and she'd never agree and with her health I don't want to stress her out more
I moved into a bungalow on a new housing estate
The bungalow is rented from housing association
We have a small dog 10 years old
He is such a good boy
We have had numerous complaints saying he fouls on people's garden and is not picked
It is always picked up and he never goes onto the garden it is always at the side and on the park
They are saying that we take drugs
Have people living with us
I am a sufferer of servere mental health
I feel so ill
Now have housing officer coming out to see me regarding the complaints
I am being victamized
Please any advice
I live in a block of flats that allow pets and have two cats. My neighbours dog when let out in the garden runs for my cats and you can tell he’s really after them like he’s not just chasing them away he’s trying to catch them with a serious amount of aggression. I know this as I had to get between them! I really politely asked that she keep him on a lead if she knows my cats are out and to that she refused as she said he has as much right to be out there as them apart from my cats are too afraid to go out when he’s out there. Should she keep him on a lead when my or her other neighbours cats are out?
She is staying in our garden, she is very cold, sometimes wet and very hungry.
I decided to let her in and feed her but she poos everywhere and attacked our cat so I had to take her out again.
She looks sad and very stressed but I noticed that at about 7 she disappears so I think she has an owner.
I feel very sorry for her. How can I help her?
The council/police were involved but nothing. I’ve written note after note as politely as possible, but they get louder and louder every time. I’m 73 with health conditions, but this noise is ruining my life.
My dogs poop on the fake grass out back btw and the area is bleached and scrubbed every 2 weeks.
Environmental health had been at my property today because of the report while I was walking my dogs!
I had work shifts together, took my dogs out for walks upon returning this morning and wouldn't have much luck out gathering poop the day before anyway, a storm was afoot.
Instead of speaking to me she called in environmental health the first opportunity to get me in poop, literally.
I just spent 6 weeks with a broken foot in a support boot out picking up poop every day. I had a mental first week back at work last week and she reports me...
She didn't have the respect to speak with me. I would have worked with her and found a way if it bothered her, even though it didn't bother any one else and usually isn't even about to be an issue.
The worst part is... her cat poops in my front garden every single day! It's scratched my car too.Cat poop is disgusting. I don't allow my dogs to poop in the front garden because it's difficult to get scooped in grass and it's DISGUSTING when we mow the grass and have tonnes of cat crap everywhere.
Honestly. What response does this warrant?
If you get that upset about a few innocent cats (friendly, harmless animals, who only visit gardens because they enjoy the company of humans) visiting your garden, I think you should maybe accept that it is you that has the problem, and you could save yourself a lot of money, and stress, by just learning to be more compassionate and tolerant. I have 4-5 cats visiting my garden, every single day, and I don't lose a minute of sleep over it. Because it's really not a big deal.
Cat owners like you are the reason I had to put up an electric fence. Silent roar doesn't work, and placing lion dung down to get rid of cat droppings is a very hollow victory at best.
I note that you don't feel keeping a wild animal as a pet is cruel, but feel keeping it inside is. Ruining someone's enjoyment of their hard earned property is cruel, especially when it's entirely of your making.
I hope cats become regulated to the same extent as dogs as there are too many irresponsible cat owners who let their cats do whatever they wan and expect everyone else to clean up after them.
Such people sicken me with their lack of consideration for others....
I solved my cat problem in my garden by erecting an electric fence, low powered designed for cats and dogs, and it's the best 200 pounds I've spent. Not a single cat or associated droppings since I powered it up and I would highly recommend looking into this if you are having trouble with the other suggestions.
And is keeping doves. I work in a loft conversion and the doves Land on my roof and relieve them self over my three Velux Windows As well as making a lot of noise. I need to pay a company To put up anti Pigeon Protection. Do I have a right to ask my neighbour to contribute?
my son is at work during day but his partner is at home. the dogs get taken for walks etc but the male dog about 18 months old is wanting the female all the time. the female does not bark at all. the male rarely if at all barks.
what can my son do to protect his dogs and is he doing anything wrong if allowing dogs in back garden and they mate. neither dog is distressed. in fact they enjoy playing together and never fight.
have the neighbours got a right to complain as both dogs are very quiet and its the mating this week thats the issue
I was so looking forward to my retirement, and watching my 16 month old grandson develop.
I have a detached house, keep myself to myself, and up to now 25 years lived happily.
All that has stopped now, the next door neighbours have a loud barking dashund, waking me early barking its head off, every morning..when I'm not a morning person, from working nights for 18 years.
My heart is pounding 24/7 as this dog barks on and off all day, I have no quality of life, the owners just say get some white noise, and double glazing..I have all that plus ear plugs, but it's just so loud. They also said if I went to bed at 9pm and up at 5am I'd be ok as it doesn't bark then, in other words their dog dictating the hours I keep, so it can bark it's head off.
I am decluttering, with the intent of moving home, but why should I have to do this, because selfish neighbours allow their dog to waken and disturb me. I'm existing on 3 to 4 hours sleep, and feel constantly ill.
Please help, anyone.
We have provided Silent Roar to them as a deterrent but tonight they came round and advised that there was more fouling on the drive way, they have refused to buy any deterrent of there own and have advised that we should pay for a deterrent on there property, and that we should get rid of our cats or keep them inside.
we are unsure of what to do as she became quite abusive when we refused to but her any more deterrents and then advised she would trap the cat and throw water over it to scare it away.
I tried to talk with her but she is shouting I can't have a conversation with her.
What I can do or where I can complain so they will stop her from suing this things.
Please I need healping.
Thank you
my council come down on top of us if we don't keep our garden tidy and I have to put up with other people pets foul the pavement outside my house and in my garden
Have spoken to neighbour who promised to deal with it, nothing happened we waited till 3 weeks ago and tried calling in and got no answer and left a note asking what was happening and offered if they couldn't catch them we would get someone out to do it which got us a very angry neighbour at the door with a sob story about these rabbits and how they don't get on with other rabbits she owns so they are allowed to roam but she said she would get sorted.
Today my wife asked what was happening cause we still see them and was greeted with a lot of hostility and told they won't be catching or caging them and that we should move, accused us of harassment and was aggressive to my wife.
My kids can't play in garden because they dig and poop. I had fenced an area off for a toddler to play in which rabbits managed to get into and there is massive holes in it, I don't know what to do please help, advise needed
Yet the neighbours don't believe he did this, the lady just freaks & doesn't care to listen to us. We've cat proofed our garden but they want us to have our dogs on a lead when they are in our garden if the cats are out or take them down the road to toilet them. They want our dogs in basically at set times while their cats go out. They say we are being unhelpful and have been very rude to us. The husband came banging on our door, smelling of beer. Dont know what to do, I don't feel comfortable talking to them & I dont want to stop being able to use our garden how we want to
We didnt respond and assumed thr problem was solved. Imagine my frustration when just last week when taking my refuse out i saw our cat running through her front door and the door closing. We live in a housing co operative shall i report this flagrant disregard of our wishes to the estate managenent becsuse i was ready to bang on her door that very instant and have it out.
To us this has become a major problem as our cat ONLY comes home to eat approx 10 mins inside then hes gone for days.
Now that im certain this neighbour has been meddling/interfering is there grounds to have her reported for her clear duplicity?
1st neighbor next door aged around 60 a couple, they have around 20 cats in there flat next door, generally dont care if they love cats but my house smells of cat and cat piss, not only do they not wash them selves or cats, they have a ill dog with blood and bluging from the anal that poops outside my windows daily. The entire block and my hall way smells of cat wee, i have invited the council around to smell and complained over and over again. I am often sick coming in or out my flat and have to keep all doors closed. Council agreed there is a problem and told the lady to cut down on cats. The smell is still in my house and i am currently ill from it and have been sick from the smell, me neice and nephews all comment on the smell often saying they do not want to come to my house, because "that smell. "
Problem 2 lady upstaits who works from 5am leaves her 2 dogs barking all day, i do not mean 1 or 2 barks here and there, i mean constantly barking and barking till they literally cant breathe for hours at a time, i had sound equipment in my house recorded all of this barking, called the rspca and they said there is no staff to come our for a barking dog, im woken at around 5am and its constant till i go work at 11am then im bk around 5 and they are still at it its very very annoying im sat hearing them bark now at the gap on the tv.
Dose anyone know if i have any rights? I live in a council maisonette basically told if i look for a move im lowest priority im literally pulling my hair out i can't breathe or sleep in my own home!!!!!!!!
i have mention it to the owern that their dog has messed on my Nans garden etc but I never got a sorry or they never offered to clean it up.
I am very worried that my nan is getting very stressed about the situation. What can I do.
UK Government & Parliament.
Open Petition
Search CATS
Sign if you want
Tony
She has been breeding rabbits to sell and appears that at least three of them have escaped their hutch and are running around her garden (and have been for some time).
She let's her dog out knowing they're in the garden and subsequently it chases them.
Last Sunday my husband got up to find one of them in our garden. We gave up trying to catch it and it made its way back. I thought we'd found the holed but evidently not as another appeared on Tuesday. I located a large hole and blocked it. We thought that was it but another appeared yesterday after digging a fresh hole under the fence.
We can't carry on like this especially as we have our own dog and are having to take him out on his lead to avoid him catching and most probably killing it.
Who would we call about this? She is a private council tenant and neither the council or landlord are willing to act upon our other issues, we are in contact with the police.
So RSPCA, environmental health, police?
Thanks
until they decide to clean it up. it is unsightly and unhygienic my kitchen is only a few metres away. They do not walk the animal and indeed farm in out to a dog minder some days even though they work from home a lot of the time and are both able bodied and
youngish. We live in part own part rent accommodation and the housing association have tried a polite approach requesting the faeces is cleaned up on a daily basis, but they have taken no notice, we were on amicable terms before
but no longer speak because of this disgusting situation
He doesn't just seem territorial (as in defending) he seems to try and take territory too. He has even come into our house if the door is open to try and attack our cat or take food. Another neighbour had to hit him to get one of her new born kittens out of his mouth. He is constantly attacking from behind, by hitting or clawing across my cat's behind or spine. My cat is a neutered tom who has always been of nervous disposition.
We have also seen this cat with birds and other small animals in it's mouth so it hunts. It lives with another cat and a dog (which she lets run around the estate leadless) with it's owners. We have approached it's owner but she either denies it's her cat doing all of this to the others, or says he is only out at night (he's not he's out all the time) or says what can she do, cats will be cats.
Is there anything we can do (other than keep all our cats locked up 24 hours a day inside and let him roam around free)? All the other cats on the estate are fine with each other and either get on or ignore each other, while this predator goes around making their lives a misery and injuring them. He once hurt my cat so bad that once his injury was dealt with he sat facing the corner of the room for 2 whole days traumatised and took 2 weeks before he dare go out again.
Today 12 weeks after the incident. next dog had been locked out the front and leapt the small fence and attacked him again.lucky I chased him out but when talking to owner the dog bit my wrist.to which he imformed me he had been in prison for attempted murder now we ain't gonna have any phone calls from the council again are we.
We can't afford to move and landlord and council and police won't help.and it's now a safety fear.
Help us!
@Ellie. No there's not a great deal you can do. If you can keep your cat in at times when you're not around, you could make sure you're on hand with a water pistol etc when the neighbour's cats start!
My neighbour whom I don't talk to, didn't like them standing in the road outside our house and stood and stared at them all the time they were there.he's very intimidating. This morning we found dog poo had been obviously thrown over the hedge between our gardens so it was all around the tent! Luckily nobody stood in it. About 8 big lumps. He has a dog!
Is there anything I can do or should I just clear it up and leave it as I have no real proof it was him.
I live in the middle of a busy housing estate in Milton Keynes. On one side i have barking dogs and idiots who are addicted to garden fires. On the other side i have six cats that love to use my garden as a toilet, 3 constantly yapping dogs and several huge parrots that are left outside in a back garden at weekends and evenings. You can imagine how pleasant it is sitting in my back garden.
I've reported the parrots to the council every year since 2006. They fob me off every time. Neighbours from hell.....
so i have these neighbours who are having their garden dug out and they have rabbits or a rabbit (not Sure) but instead of the hutch being in the garden, its straight on their drive! i personally dont think this is particularly safe considering their are no locks on the doors just sliders so any randomer can just come up and open it! to add to this they also dont have proper cover over their hutch so with the bad weather and whatnot:they are freezing, the rain comes in and i just generally feel sorry for them. now, their garden is going to take a couple of months to sort out and the rabbit(s) dont even have any place to run! i have rabbits myself and they have a run attached to theirs and they are inside the house during the winter. im just wonder if i should say something to them or ask the RSPCA, im n ot sure!
Please help,
many regards,
Jasmine
You DO realise that cats are vital in built up urban pest control? say a country like Britain that has a lot of litter and tens of millions of people living in it? Rat infestations are a nightmare that i have seen in many countries and that would happen if we were not so Cat friendly in the UK.
Look...If a cat is in your garden, get a water pistol. 2 or 3 times and they will learn...if that does not work an ultra-sonic scarer does the trick.
FYI for any vile people thinking of hurting a cat....It is a criminal offense to even threaten to poison another persons pet to induce fear and actual poisoning can result in a 6 month custodial sentence and a maximum of a £20,000 fine.
Is there anything I can do about this?
have talk to them,but they are making money from them,and just do not care about what I have to put up with.
Ask Problem Neighbours a question
Ask our editorial team a question and we will reply with our advice. Tell us as much about your situation as you can: the more detail you give, the more useful our answer can be.
You do not need to use your real name. Please do not include your full address, phone number, email address, or the names of other people. We may edit or remove identifying details for privacy and legal reasons.
Comments are moderated before publication.