New Dog-Barking Ordinance
November 12, 2011 Leave a Comment
A new Dog-Barking Ordinance has passed the City Council and will take effect on December 11, 2011. The new city law would fine the owners of excessively barking dogs $250 dollars for the first offense, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third if a Department of Animal Services hearing officer decides the pooch is barking too much.
Excessive barking — under the ordinance — is defined as a dog barking continuously for more than 10 minutes or intermittently for a half-hour or more within a three hour period. In addition to the new fines, the changes would give animal services officials more power in dealing with the owners of unlicensed dogs.
Under the old ordinance, last amended about 20 years ago, hearings did not proceed against residents who did not have licensed dogs and there were also no fines. This ordinance evens the playing field.
Click here to see the dog-barking Ordinance
About Michel Whang
