Dog owners in the UK have been warned that one annoying habit could end up costing them a hefty fine of up to £5,000. A recent survey conducted by Northerner has shed light on the biggest annoyances when it comes to neighbours, and it seems that leaving dogs to bark is a major issue for many. The survey aimed to uncover the key to being a perfect neighbour and unearthed some interesting etiquette rules that should never be broken.
The research found that leaving dogs to bark topped the list of pet peeves for UK residents, with more than half of respondents agreeing that it really gets on their nerves. Interestingly, 55 to 64 year-olds were the most perturbed by this behaviour, with 74% admitting it was one of their biggest annoyances. On the other hand, 25 to 34 year-olds were more irritated by being asked to participate in community events, showing a stark difference in generational preferences.
The top ten neighbour nuisances identified in the survey were:
1. Leaving dogs to bark (53%)
2. Playing loud music (49%)
3. Cars taking up road space (40%)
4. Unkempt property (37%)
5. Hearing someone having sex (35%)
6. Overgrown trees (33%)
7. Smoking in the garden (25%)
8. Making suggestions to change your property (19%)
9. Having lots of visitors (17%)
10. Being asked to join community events (17%)
In a surprising turn of events, the survey revealed that very few respondents found chatting with neighbours to be annoying, with just 10% expressing dislike towards chatty neighbours or small talk. Furthermore, 96% of participants stated that they enjoy bumping into their neighbours while out and about. Even supporting different football teams did not seem to be a significant issue, as only 7% found it to be bothersome.
Markus Lindblad from Northerner highlighted the importance of community despite minor irritations, stating, “It’s fairly common for us to get irritated by our neighbours’ habits and behaviours, but community is a really important thing.” He acknowledged that certain behaviours, such as smoking in the garden, could be understandably irritating in certain contexts.
Overall, the survey serves as a reminder for dog owners to ensure their furry friends are not causing a disturbance that could land them in trouble with the law. By being mindful of how our actions affect those around us, we can strive to create harmonious relationships with our neighbours and foster a strong sense of community spirit.