In Los Angeles, excessive dog barking could mean steep fines - or impounding noisy dogs


By Julia Szabo

Barking is normal dog behavior, but for many people it's considered annoying enough to report to the authorities.  Now, dog owners living in Los Angeles' Riverside County have compelling new incentive to use any humane means necessary - including positive training methods to stop a dog barking and/or innovative bark deterring collars with citronella or without to keep highly vocal dogs quiet.

Earlier this month in the county, an ordinance went into effect targeting excessively vocal dogs by issuing their owners fines of up to $500.  The previous m.o. of ticketing dog owners did little to stop the actual noise of dogs barking.  So under the new ordinance, an administrative hearing officer will hear nuisance complaints.

Once L.A. County Animal Services receives a complaint, the agency will issue a warning letter to the loud dog's owner.  If the nuisance is reported again within 12 months of the warning, Animal Services will set a time for a hearing, involving a hearing officer, the owner of the dog in question, the complainant, and any witnesses.  If the hearing officer decides an animal is a nuisance, an order will be issued telling the owner to abate the problem.

If an owner fails to follow the county's order within 10 days, civil penalties can be imposed, according to the ordinance.  Fines will start at $100.  A second violation of the abatement order within 12 months would result in a $200 fine, and for every subsequent violation, dog owners would be fined $500.  If the dog continues to be a nuisance, animal control has the authority to take the animal away altogether.

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