Barking Dogs

SEAACA encourages all dog owners and their pets to be good neighbors. There are times, however, when a dog can be a nuisance with loud or uncontrolled barking disrupts others. SEAACA wants residents of the cities we serve to understand the law and the process for dealing with excessive barking and noise complaints.

It is against the law for the dog guardian, or anyone in control or custody of a dog, to allow the animal to make excessive noise, after receiving a legal notice of the noise complaint and a request to make it stop. The term "excessive noise" means noise which is unreasonably annoying, disturbing, offensive, or which unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property of one or more persons occupying property in the community or neighborhood.

Complaints will be processed in the following manner:

a) First complaint. After receiving a complaint over the phone or in writing involving a whining, barking, howling, or similar dog noise, SEAACA shall issues a written notice or letter to the guardian or person having custody of the dog or dogs advising persons of the noise complaint and requesting immediate abatement of any excessive noise.

b) Second complaint. The department of animal control shall send an Animal Control Officer to contact the guardian of dog or dogs, to educate and resolve the barking issue. The guardian of the dog or dogs could also be cited for other offenses, such as, expired or no license.

c) Third complaint. If a third complaint is reported a petition can be requested from the reporting party. If the animal control agency receives the completed petition, the petition will be forwarded to the District Attorney or City Prosecutor for consideration of possible criminal charges.