We know pets are an important part of many homes and can provide companionship and support. However, there may be occasions when the behaviour of an animal causes a nuisance, affects neighbours or creates concerns about safety or animal welfare.
Where this happens, we will work with those involved to try to resolve the problem. We will usually start by offering advice and looking for an informal solution. Where problems are serious or continue despite our intervention, we may consider further action.
What is animal nuisance?
Not every issue involving an animal will be considered anti-social behaviour (ASB). There will normally need to be evidence that the behaviour is persistent, unreasonable or having a significant impact on other people or the local community.
Examples of animal nuisance can include:
- Persistent or excessive barking or other animal noise
- Dogs or other animals behaving aggressively or being dangerously out of control
- Repeated dog or animal fouling that is not cleared up
- Animals being allowed to roam communal areas unsupervised and causing a nuisance
- Smells associated with animals that significantly affect neighbouring homes or communal areas
- Damage to communal areas caused by animals
- Excessive feeding of birds or other animals where this is attracting vermin or causing another nuisance.
Occasional barking or everyday noise from a pet would not normally be considered ASB.
What you can do
If a neighbour's animal is causing a problem, and you feel comfortable and safe doing so, you could try speaking to them first.
If this does not resolve the problem, or you do not feel comfortable approaching your neighbour, you can report the issue to us.
It will help us investigate if you can:
- Tell us what is happening and how it is affecting you
- Provide dates and times when incidents happen
- Keep a record of incidents
- Provide recordings, photographs or videos where it is safe and appropriate to do so
- Continue to update us if the problem persists
- Provide reference numbers for any reports you have made to the police, local authority or another agency
- Take part in mediation or other attempts to resolve the problem where appropriate.
For ongoing animal noise, you may also be asked to use the Noise App to record incidents. Please do not put yourself at risk to obtain evidence.
Report animal nuisance to us
If an animal belonging to a Saffron Housing tenant is causing persistent nuisance or ASB, please report it to us.
When reporting an issue, give us as much information as you can about what has happened, when it happened, how often it happens and how it is affecting you. This will help us decide the most appropriate action.
If anyone is in immediate danger, always call 999.
What we can do
When you report animal nuisance to us, we will consider the circumstances and the impact the behaviour is having.
Depending on the situation, we may:
- Speak to the pet owner about the concerns raised
- Provide advice and agree reasonable actions to prevent further problems
- Contact other agencies where appropriate
- Offer mediation or a guided conversation
- Ask the person responsible to enter into an Acceptable Behaviour Agreement
- Investigate potential breaches of tenancy
- Investigate problems involving fouling or damage to communal areas
- Work with the police, local authority and other partner agencies
- Consider enforcement action where there is sufficient evidence and other approaches have not resolved the problem.
Formal enforcement action is normally a last resort and will depend on the circumstances, seriousness of the behaviour and evidence available.
In the most serious cases, enforcement could include legal action such as an injunction or possession proceedings.
Animal noise and statutory nuisance
Some animal noise, such as prolonged or repeated barking, may also be investigated by the Environmental Health team at your local council. Local councils may also have powers relating to dog fouling and other local environmental issues.
Animal noise does not have to meet the threshold for a statutory nuisance before we consider whether there is an ASB or tenancy issue.
Dangerous or out-of-control dogs
If you believe a dog is dangerous, is out of control, or has attacked or bitten a person, please report this to the police.
- Call 999 if there is an immediate danger or emergency.
- For non-emergency reports, contact the police on 101.
Animal welfare concerns
If you are concerned that an animal is being neglected, mistreated or is suffering, this should be reported to the RSPCA or another appropriate animal welfare authority.
You can also tell us if the concerns involve a Saffron Housing property. Where appropriate, we can work with partner agencies alongside any action they take.
What other agencies can do
Sometimes another organisation will have the appropriate powers to deal with the problem.
Police
The police can investigate suspected criminal offences, including incidents involving dangerous or dangerously out-of-control dogs.
Local councils
Environmental Health teams may investigate complaints about persistent animal noise and determine whether it amounts to a statutory nuisance. Local councils may also have powers relating to dog fouling and other local environmental issues.
RSPCA
The RSPCA can investigate reports concerning animal cruelty and welfare and may take further action where appropriate.
We can work alongside these organisations where there are also concerns about a Saffron tenancy or the impact on our communities.
Keeping a pet in your home
If you are thinking about getting a pet, please check the conditions of your tenancy and our Pets Policy.
Depending on your home and tenancy, you may need permission from us before keeping some animals.
Having permission to keep a pet does not mean that the animal can cause nuisance, damage or ASB. Pet owners remain responsible for their animals and should make sure they do not negatively affect neighbours or communal areas.