An Ashburton woman who feels her complaints about a dog's barking were ignored by council has taken her concerns to the Ombudsman.

Christine Sanderson, 73, has been battling Ashburton District Council over her neighbour's alleged barking dog for 18 months.

Sanderson says the dog constantly barks, but the council has found no evidence of loud and persistent barking during almost 200 visits.

The Ombudsman is now investigating after she complained the council failed to address her concerns.

The saga started in January 2023 when Sanderson's neighbour obtained a puppy.

Her husband Trevor suffers from dementia and was distressed by the barking before he moved into full time care, she said.

“It barks all hours of the day and night, and it’s still happening."

After approaching the owner failed, Sanderson said she reported the barking to council.

Repeated complaints about the “constant barking and howling” fell on deaf ears, she said.

Frustrated by inaction, she visited the dog control contractor Talbot Security Group in January and played a recording of the barking dog over a Bluetooth speaker, resulting in her being trespassed.

The council suggested Sanderson was the only complainant, so she collected signatures from 18 neighbours who said they also heard the dog.

"We all know it’s that dog at that address," she said.

She admitted her actions may have bordered on harassment.

Council’s group manager compliance and development Jane Donaldson said the council believes it has met its obligations under the Dog Control Act 1996. 

“Council will supply all relevant information that the Ombudsman needs in order to consider the complaint.”

Since March 2023, there have been a total of 195 monitoring visits conducted in the McDonald Street area, and no loud and persistent barking has been observed, Donaldson said.

“Other complaints have been received from time to time about dogs barking in this neighbourhood

“However, these have been found to be other dogs. Most dogs bark now and again, and there are approximately 62 registered dogs within a 300 metre radius of the McDonald Street property.”

The case is now with the Ombudsman, who will determine if the council has acted reasonably and fairly.

The Ombudsman’s investigation will consider the acts, decisions, recommendations and omissions to consider if the council acted lawfully and reasonably.

By Jonathan Leask