[rshoffer]

Last night (Fri April 10th) was a night wher you could have your windows open or sit on the lanai and enjoy a beautiful evening. Unfortunately, here in Duval, some very insensitive people ruined that. From about 6pm to 930 pm there was an incessant continuous yelping and barking in the village that was so loud I heard it 2 blocks away. It sounded like a kennel.... not just 1 dog, but many. Finally I had to see what in the world was going on so Maverick and I went to investigate. After walking a block I started to run into other irate residents out in the street milling about complaining about the noise. The source was a home with a large birdcage and obviously lots of houseguests (many cars).... the dogs were obviously left locked out on the lanai while everyone went somewhere else... and there these dogs were barking and yelping non-stop... it was awful. I have never seen such foolish insensitivity of people here in the Villages. We have the Community Watch, Deed Compliance and Sumter Co Sheriff ready to strike if it happens again.

[KathieI]

Originally Posted by rshoffer

Last night (Fri April 10th) was a night wher you could have your windows open or sit on the lanai and enjoy a beautiful evening. Unfortunately, here in Duval, some very insensitive people ruined that. From about 6pm to 930 pm there was an incessant continuous yelping and barking in the village that was so loud I heard it 2 blocks away. It sounded like a kennel.... not just 1 dog, but many. Finally I had to see what in the world was going on so Maverick and I went to investigate. After walking a block I started to run into other irate residents out in the street milling about complaining about the noise. The source was a home with a large birdcage and obviously lots of houseguests (many cars).... the dogs were obviously left locked out on the lanai while everyone went somewhere else... and there these dogs were barking and yelping non-stop... it was awful. I have never seen such foolish insensitivity of people here in the Villages. We have the Community Watch, Deed Compliance and Sumter Co Sheriff ready to strike if it happens again.

RS, so glad it wasn't coming from Heavenly Hadley. I try so hard to be sensitive to my neighbors as there is nothing more piercing than Schnauzer barks. I never leave them out on the lanai when I go out and also keep all my doors and windows closed in case they do bark.

Perhaps, "seriously, perhaps", giving them the benefit of the doubt, when I first moved here, I did something similar and never thought much about it but as soon as my neighbors mentioned it to me, that was the FIRST AND LAST time it was done that way. Maybe if you mention it to them they will reconsider their actions. I hope anyway.

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by rshoffer

Last night (Fri April 10th) was a night wher you could have your windows open or sit on the lanai and enjoy a beautiful evening. Unfortunately, here in Duval, some very insensitive people ruined that. From about 6pm to 930 pm there was an incessant continuous yelping and barking in the village that was so loud I heard it 2 blocks away. It sounded like a kennel.... not just 1 dog, but many. Finally I had to see what in the world was going on so Maverick and I went to investigate. After walking a block I started to run into other irate residents out in the street milling about complaining about the noise. The source was a home with a large birdcage and obviously lots of houseguests (many cars).... the dogs were obviously left locked out on the lanai while everyone went somewhere else... and there these dogs were barking and yelping non-stop... it was awful. I have never seen such foolish insensitivity of people here in the Villages. We have the Community Watch, Deed Compliance and Sumter Co Sheriff ready to strike if it happens again.

That is really horrible. We had a similar situation with a neighbor in our former neighborhood in Conn. The HOA sent her a letter and it got better for a bit, but then started up again. She had two dogs and on days where she went out and left all the windows open, the dogs couldn't handle the number of people walking/running/biking/driving by, the sounds of lawns being mowed, etc.

I finally went and spoke with her. She had been horrified by the HOA letter (especially the tone) - but they never told her when the problem occurred - and the dogs were always fine when she was home. The reason it got better was the weather got cold - so her windows were all closed. She thanked me for letting her know and the problem never happened again.

A friend of mine, who is a dog trainer professionally, told me that these dogs needed a leader and a den. When my neighbor was gone, there was no leader. And given the run of the house made them even more anxious. From then on when she left, she kept them in a bedroom at the back of the house with the windows and blinds closed.

I tell you this only because 1. a personal visit worked better than the stronger approach and 2. if it was my dog/house, I hope my neighbors will tell me first and let me try to correct the situation.

Kate

PS - Blondie, VK and Veeman - I hope you hold me to this.

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by KathieI

RS, so glad it wasn't coming from Heavenly Hadley. I try so hard to be sensitive to my neighbors as there is nothing more piercing than Schnauzer barks. I never leave them out on the lanai when I go out and also keep all my doors and windows closed in case they do bark.

Perhaps, "seriously, perhaps", giving them the benefit of the doubt, when I first moved here, I did something similar and never thought much about it but as soon as my neighbors mentioned it to me, that was the FIRST AND LAST time it was done that way. Maybe if you mention it to them they will reconsider their actions. I hope anyway.

Hey Kath,

It seems we bumped posts in cyberspace. I won't say "great" minds thins alike (cuz mine is far from it LOL) - but maybe new friends' minds think alike.

[rshoffer]

Originally Posted by KathieI

RS, so glad it wasn't coming from Heavenly Hadley. I try so hard to be sensitive to my neighbors as there is nothing more piercing than Schnauzer barks. I never leave them out on the lanai when I go out and also keep all my doors and windows closed in case they do bark.

Perhaps, "seriously, perhaps", giving them the benefit of the doubt, when I first moved here, I did something similar and never thought much about it but as soon as my neighbors mentioned it to me, that was the FIRST AND LAST time it was done that way. Maybe if you mention it to them they will reconsider their actions. I hope anyway.

I investigated this a bit more for this very reason. This isn't the case of a little Schnauzer barking out the window when someone walks by (I've had 2 Schnauzers)... turns out these are out of town guests and there were 6 (that's what you just read...SIX) dogs locked out on the lanai.... a neighbor just told me a few weeks ago these people did the same thing for an entire day on a Saturday.

Originally Posted by rshoffer

I investigated this a bit more for this very reason. This isn't the case of a little Schnauzer barking out the window when someone walks by (I've had 2 Schnauzers)... turns out these are out of town guests and there were 6 (that's what you just read...SIX) dogs locked out on the lanai.... a neighbor just told me a few weeks ago these people did the same thing for an entire day on a Saturday.

Neighbors of these dog owners should complain about this. It should take care of it.

[KathieI]

Originally Posted by katezbox

The reason it got better was the weather got cold - so her windows were all closed. She thanked me for letting her know and the problem never happened again.
When my neighbor was gone, there was no leader. And given the run of the house made them even more anxious. From then on when she left, she kept them in a bedroom at the back of the house with the windows and blinds closed.

Kate

When I arrived in TV, I asked my neighbors to give me a few days to get the brats acclimated to the new environment and they did tell me when there was a problem. Now the dogs are contained in the master bedroom with a gate at the door, so they can see into the house, but all the windows and blinds are shut tight. My neighbors even forget that I have dogs now. Really works to be neighborly, plus I live in Heavenly Hadley with the friendliest neighbors.

[Taj44]

My question is, is there really any noise enforcement in The Villages? We've recently encountered a new problem for us. We have new neighbors who are just steps away from our house, in the back. They're running a television out there, from about 4:00 on, and its kind of noisy. I politely met with them ,and let them know I could hear it, etc., and they pretty much said "tough". Is there any recourse?

Originally Posted by Taj44

My question is, is there really any noise enforcement in The Villages? We've recently encountered a new problem for us. We have new neighbors who are just steps away from our house, in the back. They're running a television out there, from about 4:00 on, and its kind of noisy. I politely met with them ,and let them know I could hear it, etc., and they pretty much said "tough". Is there any recourse?

You will probably have to grin and bear it unless the TV is extremely loud. Maybe if it were fraternity row major party loud you could do something but seniors will hearing problems do often have their TVs and stereos up rather loud.

[Taj44]

I guess I don't understand why people want to blast a television on their lanai when their neighbor is just 10 or 15 feet away. It seems to me where the houses have lanai's that back up to each other, that the space between lanais should be shared. They make headphones - a hard of hearing person could turn up their volume as high as they want without bothering anyone.

[BUC]

Sounds to me that people should be more understanding, on both sides, and just maybe worry about there own shortcomings, and no worry so much about what other people are doing. Just my opinion!

[Taj44]

To me its a question of courtesy, and being a good neighbor. But apparently some people don't understand that.

[macgolfnut]

I am a dog lover, and if you own a dog, there are going to be times when your dog barks and probably disturbs the neighbors. It should be your responsibility to be aware how iritating this can be to the neighborhood and try to keep your dog(s) under control. Six dogs left alone on the lanai is ridiculous and those people should be given a ticket for disturbing the peace.

When it comes to the television on the lanai, it seems to be a little more subjective. Are we supposed to stop having parties and enjoying our beautiful lanais? Should we keep our windows and doors closed all of the time for fear of disturbing our neighbors with music, tv, laughing, and conversation? These are small lots and some of the lanais are very close to each other. Hopefully, folks will be sensitive to the time of day and to the rights of their neighbors and be courteous to each other. We shouldn't have to be told that there is a problem. It should be OUR responsibility to do our best to be good neighbors. Maybe I live in a dream world. My neighbors are great!

[Taj44]

Originally Posted by macgolfnut

I am a dog lover, and if you own a dog, there are going to be times when your dog barks and probably disturbs the neighbors. It should be your responsibility to be aware how iritating this can be to the neighborhood and try to keep your dog(s) under control. Six dogs left alone on the lanai is ridiculous and those people should be given a ticket for disturbing the peace.

When it comes to the television on the lanai, it seems to be a little more subjective. Are we supposed to stop having parties and enjoying our beautiful lanais? Should we keep our windows and doors closed all of the time for fear of disturbing our neighbors with music, tv, laughing, and conversation? These are small lots and some of the lanais are very close to each other. Hopefully, folks will be sensitive to the time of day and to the rights of their neighbors and be courteous to each other. We shouldn't have to be told that there is a problem. It should be OUR responsibility to do our best to be good neighbors. Maybe I live in a dream world. My neighbors are great!

Exactly. Thank you for expressing things much better than I have done. We have a very tiny lot, and the neighbors are right on top of each other. Most of the time, there is not a problem. And of course we will always hear the sounds of life, living, voices, laughter. That's what retirement is all about! But we all deserve the chance to enjoy our lanais. I spoke with The Villages and they said one of the largest complaints they receive is about televisions on the lanai. The other big complaint (no suprise I'm sure) is barking dogs. When houses are very close together, a little courtesy goes a long way.

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by Taj44

Exactly. Thank you for expressing things much better than I have done. We have a very tiny lot, and the neighbors are right on top of each other. Most of the time, there is not a problem. And of course we will always hear the sounds of life, living, voices, laughter. That's what retirement is all about! But we all deserve the chance to enjoy our lanais. I spoke with The Villages and they said one of the largest complaints they receive is about televisions on the lanai. The other big complaint (no suprise I'm sure) is barking dogs. When houses are very close together, a little courtesy goes a long way.

Our neighbors that just recently moved back to the coast had a TV on the lanai. The only way you knew that was when you could see someone out there and see the screen was on (yes, our houses here are very close together). I think it just boils down to courtesy. If you must have the TV loud enough to disturb others then perhaps it should just be viewed inside. As for the laughter, talking, etc. unless it is an every day, every night occurrence what's the problem? You can either close your windows and doors for a while or something, I would think.