Jon Clarke (Publisher & Editor)ONE in four Spaniards are driven barking mad by noisy dogs, a noise pollution study has shown.
Some 50 per cent are infuriated by building work and the same amount also finds it difficult to sleep at night due to excessive street noise.
And a hefty 87 per cent of all Spaniards complain that they have to endure living in a noisy environment.
Cars, heavy lorries, motorbikes, planes and trains are among the biggest gripes, while discos, bars and general nightlife also featured highly in the most-hated sounds.
Interestingly, TV noise didn’t feature among the grievances, despite the Spanish being renowned for having it switched on around the clock.
The report – conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) – confirmed that seven in 10 Spaniards endure rackets in excess of the 65 decibels considered safe.
The report also confirmed that Spain consolidated its position as the world’s second noisiest country behind Japan.
“Noise pollution causes not only a deterioration of the environment but also physical and psychological disorders in people,” said a statement released by the State Platform of Associations Against Noise.
The group urged the government to enforce existing noise laws and take corrective action.
Can you inform me of what the laws in Spain are for barking dogs during the day and night and if there are any legal procedures that can be taken.
Forget it. In Spain, dogs are appearently similar to cows in India. Everybody loves them, has at least 3, and dogs belong to the Spanish people as air belongs in their lungs. The only thing about Spain that I truly hate.
I understand completely what you are saying. I left Spain because I couldn’t stand dogs barking all day and night.
Good question Joe. I’d like an answer to that too as our town hall does nothing if you complain.
I don’t know about the laws, but if the dogs are chained up and hungry or of a dangerous breed you might have a chance. La Patrulla Verde, Ciprona and even the Guardia Municipal take a keen interest. Even better if you can find a friendly vet to get involved; then you might get a result. In our neighbourhood there is a recurring problem with dogs being chained in the garden of an unoccupied house with insufficient food and water. There are dogs there at the moment, but the really noisy one has been removed. The authorities are trying to locate the person responsible for putting them there, and once that happens, they’ll be gone.
Good luck!
We have a couple nearby who have 11 of their own dogs and then they take in puppy rescue dogs. When we first arrived he had 35 dogs at the moment he has between 20-25 on total.
They also work 4 days a week for puppy rescue and leave all the dogs outside unattended during that time of course when they bark and bark and bark. They also bark and bark when they are at home accompanied her shouts and scream of shut up. Is there nothing we can do ?
Yes get the Spanish to stop abandoning dogs – don’t blame the dogs blame the Spanish bipeds they are the problem.
I am agree but that is a long term problem with a long term solution. What do you suggest I do short term ?
Louise, this is a job for “Ultimate Bark Control”, as used by the Military, oh yes.
http://www.ultimatebarkcontrol.com/
If you wire up a dozen of these on the roof, the whole campo should be quiet lol.