Dogs and Depression

[Louis-Rigolly]

I'm 74 years old and live next door to a boarding kennel.  I doubt that it's a legal one but the council's local laws team don't seem to be interested in it.

It's now nearly 1.00am on Christmas eve and it appears I am not going to get much sleep tonight because of the barking, howling, and yapping.  I was supposed to go to lunch with friends tomorrow but it involves a 70km drive and I don't think it would be safe to drive without sleep at my age.   

I first complained about the dog problem in January this year and the council told me to keep a diary of the barking for two weeks.  I may be stupid, but if one complains about a stress inducing problem, this act of complaining suggests that the person is not able to sit through this stress for an extended period.  Effectively, this requirement to record the barking presents a "Catch 22" situation in which the person is not able to get out of the life threatening situation.  I did spend nearly ten years at university, some of it part time, but, as I said, I may be the one that's stupid.

Beyond Blue state that depression is not a part of getting older.  In my situation, depression is definitely a required part of getting old.  A year ago I was enjoying my life and involved in all kinds of activities. I tried to be a "Good Neighbour" and endure the barking during school holidays and such.  But one can endure stress for a limited period.  The stress gradually takes over. 

Now I spend two or three days each week away from home and when I am at home spend my time closed in a room reading and playing music to disguise the barking. I also smoke a pipe because nicotine has anti-depressant qualities.  I see a counsellor once a week, paying money that I can't really afford.  The counsellor can't do much so I slip deeper and deeper into depression.  My active life is crammed into those two or three days that I am away from my home each week.

Depression, for me, is definitely a part of ageing.

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[geoff]

dear Louis-Rigolly, I do accept the fact as we get older depression does kick in, as I have seen this many times.

I also agree about the fact that continual noise is just so annoying, as my neighbours on both sides were terrible with music playing and even a motor bike revving it's motor at 2.00 am, so after complaining and not only from myself they have quieten down, so with the noise of dogs barking all day would drive anybody mad.

Dog kennels should only be placed from a certain distance from any houses, simply for the fact that you are experiencing.

If the council won't do something which is really their problem I would go to 'legal aid' and present your problem with a solicitor, because legally this kennel should not be there.

The only concern is whether or not your house was there first, and if so then the permit should not have been issued by the council, but if your house was built after the kennel, then the council shouldn't have approved your permit, so it all boils down to the fact that the council is to blame either way.

You basically need a letter from the solicitor to the council, that's your best option.

Depression in elderly people is sad just as it is for everybody, but elderly folk tend to lose their friends so they become very lonely, living by themselves, and their capability of being able to drive restricts their movements and involvement with the family.

Their physical body involves pain so it's much harder to do the things that once they loved to do.

Anyway contact legal aid and start the process, and you may be entitled to some form of compensation, for pain and suffering. Geoff.