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Dear Jazzy,

I have a problem with my neighbors and I don’t know what to do.
They got a dog, a cute little thing, a white Chihuahua, cute, very unhappy and very LOUD!
They put it outside in a small area right outside my living room door. It barks and makes a crying sound over and over and over, for hours and hours. They leave for work early in the morning and leave it outside all day.
I can’t take much more of this whining sound. It seems to be crying. It is heartbreaking to listen to it, and this has been going on for more than a month now.
The dog has tried to dig its way under the fence, but that won’t work, there is concrete all around, just a little bit of dirt, so his/her digging doesn’t get him/her far.
Now he/she has started to bang on the boards in the fence. I think he/she is ramming his/her head into the wooden fence, and I think one day he/she will succeed in breaking one of the boards. I hope so. I want to see the little doggie run free.
Meanwhile, it is miserable and so am I. I had to stop sleeping with my windows open or else I wake up early every day when they put it out and it starts to bark, cry and even howl. A Chihuahua howling is kind of cute, at first, but not for long.
What can I do? I don’t want to call the City’s animal control people. I don’t want to get the neighbors in trouble, and I don’t want the dog taken away, put in a shelter where it might be killed. Help!

WANTING TO FREE WILLY IN SAN JOSE

Dear WANTING TO FREE WILLY IN SAN JOSE

I suggest you talk to your neighbors about the problem if you have not done so already. The neighbor should know that the dog is causing problems for you. They may not realize that the noise is bothering you.
You need to explain to your neighbor that you cannot sleep well. Try to keep the conversation friendly. Do not argue with the neighbor. Tell them that you do not want to report to the city. Tell them you do not want to get them or the dog in trouble. But make it clear that if they do not do anything then you will not have any choice.

Sincerely,
Jazzy