Write in question on a noise complaint situation

[Kevin]

A lady wrote me an email and is facing an issue, I figured I would let everyone in on it since I am sure some of you have faced same situation.... Whats your advice for this ladies situation


Noisy Parrots? Houston TX Bird Rights...please reply to my desperate plea to find assistance with a negative neighbor who lies about the amount of noise made by my two parrots. I have kept my girls inside for the winter and on warm days they get to use the cages out on my patio. Since moving into my home one particular neighbor has expressed negativity throughout my neighbors and community about my birds. My two girls do shout around 5pm each evening for about 3 to 5 minutes. I have trained them to not express themselves vocally and have been never had any complaints over the past 10 years. I would like to know what my rights are as a parrot owner, as they have already filed a report with the police.

[Lisa B]

she should find out what the noise level that is allowed in her town. As long as its within certain hours, and the noise levels do not exceed a certain decimal, they cant do anything.

[Courtzrocks]

I dunno but if she has dogs write a report about them or cats say they fight at night and have tried to get the birds. Our neighbours cats fight behind my room at about 3am every morning!! and the otherside the dogs bark all afternoon so i figure once i get my bird they have no right to complain about noise.

I would also probably ask the neighbours if they have a problem with it and get them to sign some sort of petition thing to say that the noise doesnt bother them and have not had a complaint in 10 years.

[MrRick]

Like Lisa said, the lady needs to find out what the noise ordinance states in her community. Once she has that information, she can decide where to go with the issue from there.

I may be able to help her with this issue. Feel free to have her contact me privately.

[Tinker]

How rude! I bet she has smelly barking dogs, or is an old cat woman with nothing better to do.

[Ashling]

Aswell as the comments above, it would help if she could go around the neighbourhood to inform her complaining neighbour- and other neighbours- of the relationship she has with her bird, and ask if they can come to an agreement. Bringing the bird along would help too, if possible! My neighbours either side of my house put up with my lorikeet, dogs and VERY loud rooster without a problem! The trick is to make friends first so that you can talk to them about it- communication is the key! If this lady's birds only call for 3-5 minutes at ONE time of day, the complaining neighbours are nuts! My rooster crows at ANY hour of the 24 hour clock! (2 in the morning etc)!!!

[PowerBBS]

Honestly... it's probably a Froydian thing... concerning Jelousy.

And yes... most cities have noise ordenances but typically they are related to "times" of the day. You may also be living in an area where a local home owners association may be able to take action against you as well.

First, I'd start by consulting your states and cities local laws concerning noise. I'm willing to bet it says something similar to my home town where anything from 9am to 9pm is simply "allowed". There may be some specific laws governing "pets" as well, but again... I'm thinking that your neighbor has no ground to stand on.

In any respect... You have some legal rights (no different than a dog owner would). So unless a home-owners association is involved. I wouldn't sweat it. It's after "PERMISSIBLE" hours that you would need to be concerned about.

[wildirish]

It becomes a two sided battle. Noise ordinances are usually certain times, however at anytime when something is really loud or bothering neighbors they can call and podge a complaint, any time of the day. Usually with the exception of everyday type things like a mower etc.

I would try and meet the other neighbors with your birds and talk tothem. Record the birds scream times to show how loud they really are, that way if she complains to someone other than neighbors you will have proof of the time that the noise lasts and how loud it is.

[Oscars Mom]

Im assuming your in a house. If its an apt talk to the manager and other tenants asap. Be VERY conciliatory and calm and concerned that your pets are hopefully not bothering anyone. Be very resonable and nice to all. If this person is making a police report on pets she is probley a chronic complainer and a little wacky. I would be clear too that resonable noise is ok and allowed so torturing you doesnt become their new hobby. Definately get anything you can in writing and talk to the police about any laws etc that apply. It woul;d probley go into the police dept if possible .

[KimM]

That's ashame. Sometimes neighbors can be so mean.

I agree with those here. Check out the noise ordinance in your city, if your community has home owner's association, read the by laws and definitely document "everything"... dates, times, etc. Record the birds for maybe a week to get "evidence"... recording them from the same distance from where the neighbor would hear them. Just a thought.