Neighbourhood nightmares over pesky pets

Neighbourly relations are being put to the test across the UK because of irritating pets, according to new research.

A new study by esure pet insurance has shown that nearly a fifth (18 per cent) of people have fallen out with their neighbours following an argument over their pets. In fact, six per cent of these arguments have ended up getting violent or aggressive.

The survey shows that a lot of these pet disputes are being caused by next door's nuisance dogs. Over a third (37 per cent) of Brits questioned have been kept awake at night due to the loud barking of a neighbour's dog and seven per cent have been so aggravated by the noise that they've phoned the RSPCA or the police to report it. It's not just the noise dogs make that causes problems - 11 per cent of dogs have even been blamed for chewing up plants, toys and damaging garden possessions.

The nation's pooches are also responsible for scaring 12 per cent of children, who are worried about walking out of their front door in case they come face to face with next door's dog. As a result, six per cent of homeowners surveyed claim to have reported the offending pet to the police after fearing for their family's safety.

But dogs aren't the only offending pets. Cats are also causing unrest in neighbourhoods across the UK as their habits drive Brits to distraction.

According to the poll, one in ten (ten per cent) homeowners have complained to their neighbour because their cat keeps fowling in their garden. To try and deter this problem, over a third (36 per cent) of people surveyed have put down cat pepper in their garden and 37 per cent have even thrown water at the offending animal. Just to make matters worse, 12 per cent of people get infuriated when a neighbour's cat brings dead animals into their home or garden as a ‘gift'.

A third of homeowners polled have even returned home to find a neighbour's cat sleeping happily in their house, after getting in through their cat flap or open window.

One in ten (nine per cent) homeowners have admitted that they are at the end of their tether and are considering moving house to escape their neighbour's pets. In fact, over a third (37 per cent) of those surveyed are so fed up that if they moved house, they would make sure their new neighbours didn't own any pets. Despite this, 11 per cent of those polled confessed that they find it hard to say no when asked to look after a neighbour's pet whilst they're on holiday.

Mike Pickard, Head of esure pet insurance, which carried out the poll said: "Unruly pets can turn a peaceful neighbourhood into a battleground and a garden fence into the frontline. With pets causing so much friction between neighbours up and down the country due to their bad habits and behaviour, it's every pet owner's responsibility to make sure they're well-trained and controlled so as not to cause a nuisance.

"All pets have the power to be destructive and cause damage to someone's property or belongings. By buying pet insurance, owners have added peace of mind that they have accidental damage cover to potentially pay the cost of the repairs if their pet damages someone else's personal property."

TOP 10 NEIGHBOURHOOD PET ANNOYANCES:

1 Barking dogs
2 Cats or dogs fowling in the garden
3 Cats or dogs howling during the night
4 Aggressive dogs
5 Cats fighting
6 Bad smell of dirty pets
7 Whining cats
8 Cats bringing dead animals into the house or garden
9 Trespassing cats and dogs
10 Damage to property