Angry handwritten note over noise complaint creates community 'dogfight'

“I find this aggressive post far ruder than the letter,” one person said about the letter. “Probably a good move to not have included a name and address if responses like this are to be expected.”

A handwritten note aimed at a dog owner has sparked a furious debate and divided a community near Sydney.

A woman from the Blue Mountains received a passive-aggressive note which accused her dog of barking “non-stop” for almost three hours, and urged her to “show more regards for others.

“We do not understand how uncaring and inconsiderate you can be to the other residents who live around you,” the letter read.

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“There are many neighbours who have already made complaints to the council regarding the continual endless hours of barking that they experience/suffer due to your dog.”

The letter then claims the problem had been “going on for years” before it threatened a final ultimatum.

“We have had enough! If we have to endure one more day of this, we will be taking legal action against you,” the letter reads.

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The anonymous letter a woman in the Blue Mountains received about her dog's barking. Picture: Facebook

"You've chose to remain in the shadows"

The Daily Mail reports the woman who received the letter took to a local Facebook group focused on Katoomba to hit back.

“We’ve received your intriguing letters about our dog’s ‘epic barking sessions’,” she wrote. “It’s quite a mystery since you’ve chosen to remain in the shadows.

“If you have the balls to threaten my mother, next time have the balls and knock on our door.

“And, just so you know, the council already gave us a clean bill of health on the noise front. Kudos on your investigative prowess, but it seems you may need to re-evaluate your leads.”

The Facebook post also says the dog in question is “old” and “kept indoors”.

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"The aggressive post is far ruder than the letter"

The note and the subsequent Facebook post sparked debate among residents of the Blue Mountains town before it was taken down.

“I find this aggressive post far ruder than the letter,” one person said. “Probably a good move to not have included a name and address if responses like this are to be expected.”

Other people told the pet owner she should show more consideration for her neighbours, particularly those who work from home.

“Endless dog barking is the worst, not only for those that have to endure it but clearly for the dog that does not have their needs met,” one woman wrote.

“Incessant dog barking is enough to do anyone’s head in,” a second person said.

A third person pointed out the dog would likely have a reason for barking.

“What about the stress the dog must be under barking for three hours?” they asked.

“Is there anything you can do to stop the doggy from being so frightened?”

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The letter claimed the woman's dog had been barking non-stop for three hours. Picture: iStock

"Maybe consider a more conciliatory tone"

Other people sided with the dog owner, saying an anonymous note wasn’t the right way to deal with the issue.

“If you want to resolve a problem, leave your name and contact details and maybe consider a more conciliatory tone in your notes,” one man said.

The Daily Mail reports the local radio station also weighed into the debate.

“Sounds like they’re past adopting the conciliatory approach after years of putting up with the noise,” Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 commented on the post.

“I just don’t see it being resolved with anonymous aggression.  Aggression, whether it’s anonymous or mutual, is unlikely to cultivate a useful outcome.”

A Blue Mountains Council spokesperson said it was ultimately a pet owner’s responsibility to ensure their animal doesn’t create a noise nuisance.

“The intermittent and piercing nature of a dog’s bark can be very disruptive for close neighbours,” they said.

“Understanding why your dog is barking, and what you can do to identify and remove triggers, is essential.”

The council also recommends trying to talk to your neighbours about noise issues first before making an official complaint.

Originally published as Angry handwritten note over noise complaint creates community 'dogfight'