48 Comments:

• Don't be mad at a dog for being a dog, I mean come on! Those who report dogs for barking are just being instigators.

  By  Lisa Covton, at 12:24 PM, November 26, 2006  

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• Maybe the dog is left alone or outside all the time.. if people loved their dogs more they would not bark all day long. Another dumb law.. Why wont they put their laws to something that will help make our would better.. Dogs do bark.

  By  Anonymous, at 2:19 PM, November 26, 2006  

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• If you lived nextdoor to an outdoor dog that was left alone and barked all day, every day, including early in the morning and late at night? You might see how this law is making the world better. You have the right to some peace in your own home. People who don't want to take care of their dogs and give them love and attention are clueless idiots.

  By  Anonymous, at 12:12 PM, November 28, 2006  

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• Please! I live between 6 dogs, there's hardly one minute that I do not hear barking, this means while I'm sleeping, reading, eating, bathing, working, praying, trying to watch TV, in fact trying to enjoy any moment of solitude and sanity in my own home. Where are my rights? If I sat in my yard an blew a horn every 20 seconds, 24 hours a day, don't you think someone would be bothered? The current animal control laws are useless, I live in a guard gated multimillion dollar tract of homes in Huntington Beach, so there's apparently no correlation between money and common sense, this is not a "trailer trash" scenario, we have guards, we are not on the farm. My neighbors have no business having animals; having a dog has become a status symbol, with the cutesy clothes and doggy strollers. Dogs are animals, meant to be enjoyed as companions, and controlled by humans, they are not surrogate children with human rights. My neighbors' dogs are left alone all day, every day. I can't tell you how many times I have had to "rescue" tiny little rat dogs from my pool because they slip through the fence or heard the yelping and screaming because they were attacking each other. Still no action from Animal Control. To the person who says dog reporters are instigators, you pay my mortgage and try to have a normal life living between 2 "kennels". Bottom line: "WAKE UP DOG OWNERS, WE DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR DOGS IN OUR EARSPACE! IF I WANTED TO HEAR DOG BARKING I WOULD HAVE MY OWN DOG! COURTESY PEOPLE! COURTESY!"

  By  Anonymous, at 3:32 AM, November 30, 2006  

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• P.S.: If you were wondering why I am writing at 3:32 am: DOG BARKING!!

  By  Anonymous, at 3:33 AM, November 30, 2006  

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• I have a thought. They have shock collars for dogs that shock them when they bark right. Put the collars on the dogs owners instead. Why punish the dogs when it is the inept owner who should be punished.
  
  I believe the $250 first offense is low because the complaint is not filed untill one has really had it. Meanig it has been going on for a long time.
  
  A guy I worked with found a solution to the barking problem. Calling on the phone and ringing the offenders door bell was not effective. He went out and bought an air horn like the ones they use on sail boats. All he had to do was place it against the offenders living room window at 2AM and give them a blast one time and the issue was resolved.

  By  Andy, at 2:44 PM, December 02, 2006  

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• Just one time my dog was barking some time afternoon , next door people call animal control center .I could not belive it .Please just talk to me I did not know that he was barking I WASNT HOME!!!!!!!I hate them 500 $ fine will be next time and I m asingle mom.NOT FUNNY!

  By  Anonymous, at 10:09 PM, December 03, 2006  

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• tHE POINT BEING THERE WERE ALREADY LAWS ON THE BOOKS COVERING SUCH PROBLEMS, AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE CHANGE IS NOW IF A DOGS BARKS FOR WHATEVER REASON THE CRANKY PERSON NEXT DOOT HAS MORE RIGHTS THAN YOU ITS WORSE THAN IF YOUR DOG BIT SOMEONE ALMOST. iF ANIMAL CONTROL ISN;T DOING SOMETHING CONTACT YOUR CITY COUNCIL PERSON OR COUNTY SUPERVISOR, BETTER YET TRY TALKING TO THE NEIGHBORS AND FINDING A RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.

  By  Anonymous, at 10:21 PM, December 04, 2006  

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• Main problem is with owners. They get a cute puppy and when cuteness wears off (lik grow-up), dogs are put outside in a small side/back yard. My nextdoors case would be typical. I never seen the dog being walked. Just put out the bowl of food and water and hose off the area when the smell gets to be too much (even for them). Yeah, he is barking now.. all day and evening now. Well, atleast they put the dog in the garage at night (when they can't take the noise). Problem is when they are not home, dog barks all day. People, if you can not walk the dog to give some exercise, don't get the dog. If I was left alone in a small area with no human contact, I would be barking too (yes barking) at any noise/people/thing goes by me.

  By  PortolaHills, at 5:35 PM, December 05, 2006  

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• "Those who report dogs for barking are just being instigators."
  
  What a ridiculous comment. If people had common decency, they wouldn't allow their dogs to disrupt others. Two things solve most problems: 1. leave the dog inside when you're not home, 2. Use electronic devices or other training to control barking. By the way, we have a dog and ensure it doesn't disrupt others.

  By  Anonymous, at 9:31 AM, December 06, 2006  

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• The last line in your comments about the dog barking ordinance is way out of line as I am a dog lover and owner of two well behaved dogs that dont bark when told not to. I am not a dog hater but there must be a stop put to the irresponsible idiots that let their dogs bark all day and night. After all its not the dogs fault it is the fault of the human owner

  By  Anonymous, at 5:52 PM, December 10, 2006  

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• Dog hating neighbors ????? what a rediculous comment I own two well mannered dogs that are loved and dont bark when told not to. The problem isnt with the dogs it is with the idiots that own them. They are the problem that have no respect for their neighbors. We all live where we want to live and deserve the respect of peace. If I had my way id rescue all thoes dogs

  By  Anonymous, at 6:05 PM, December 10, 2006  

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• The problem with more new laws is that the law already on the book often are not enforced. Nor are they balanced; i.e. my neighbor can employ gardners with leaf blowers which created more noise (decibles), often closer to my home, than my neighbors dog who barks. But, the leaf blowers are okay...dog barking is not?
  
  Odd.
  
  I have two small dogs that I adore and yes, they bark (as all dogs do). As a dog owner, I don't want to hear them bark constantly either, and take measures to assure that they won't. But, all it takes is one grumpy neighbor to complain, even unjustly, and I am forced to prove that my dogs barking is not a nuisance.

  By  Anonymous, at 2:07 PM, December 11, 2006  

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• Clearly this is directed at people who let their dogs bark for long stretches of time. Is there room for abuse? Possibly. Everyone has their own version of "excessive." It will have to play out. Now if the supervisors can do the same to owners who refuse to leash their dogs. By the way, you think this barking law will apply to my neighbors with the endlessly squawking parrot???????

  By  Anonymous, at 2:22 PM, December 11, 2006  

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• It is 2:06am, I am up because of a barking dog. The owners leave their dog inside and go away for the weekend, the dog is lonely and barks and howles for hours! I am sick of it, this is a condo community and they are on my common wall. I am NOT an instigator as Lisa Covton says, I am a homowner trying to get some sleep! The people with the barking dog are renters, the owner refuses to believe HER tenants dog barks. I was delighted to hear of the new law and will do everything in my power to make sure it is adapted by the Mission Viejo City Council. I own a dog, she NEVER barks, and I mean never. I work from home and must put up with inconsiderate fools for neighbors, if the fine were $10,000 it would not be enough! The woman is a single mom and can't afford the fines, if she can't afford to pay the fines; then she should be more aware of the problems having a dog is creating. I will make it a priority project to see to it that this law goes into effect in Mission Viejo.

  By  Anonymous, at 2:15 AM, January 28, 2007  

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• I am a complete dog LOVER!! I allow my dogs to live right with us, always trained to not bark. I unfortunately have a neighbor who keeps there two dogs locked in a 3X5 outside area and allows them to bark non-stop for days...Now this is why this law needs to be better inforced!

  By  Anonymous, at 1:15 PM, February 03, 2007  

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• I live in a middle class neighborhood in Huntington Beach. Walk around the neighborhood at anytime during the hours 7 am to 11 pm and you will hear the incessant sound of dogs barking. We have become so used to it, most people don't even give it a second thought. But the din and cacophony are endless. I have a running feud with the neighbor behind my house - it's been going on for 5 years. I call Animal Control to complain about her endlessly barking dog, we dance around the to-and-fro of the complaint process, the dog is quieted for a time, then it starts all over again. My neighbor knows I am powerless and she behaves accordingly. It seems to get worse as time goes on. This new ordinance is long overdue and will hopefully bring some much needed quiet to the community.

  By  Anonymous, at 1:40 PM, February 12, 2007  

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• Instigators? You must be another irresponsible dog owner! Either that or you have NEVER lived next to a nuisance dog...you try relentless sleep deprivation, continual daily interruptions and being woken at all hours of the night when owners allow their dogs to bark for hours on end as a retaliatory measure for THEIR OWN irresponsibility! Get a clue...you're the instigator! If your dog wasn't a nuisance, we wouldn't be reporting it, moron! What are you another drug dealer with a dog alarm?

  By  seeking justice, at 11:42 AM, March 02, 2007  

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• I noticed Lisa didn't care to defend her remarks. Love the dog, not the dog owner. Most dog owners I meet are inconsiderate selfish jerks who care only about how their 'dog' feels, and have a total disregard for noise pollution or public hygene. Maybe YOU love your dog, but I don't have to. If you can't control your dog, don't get one - or get a cat. GEEZ!

  By  Anonymous, at 8:26 PM, March 06, 2007  

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• Has anyone made a complaint to Animal Control yet? I would like to know if this is working.

  By  Anonymous, at 5:18 PM, June 12, 2007  

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• I found this blog after reading the city of cypress council minutes to find out what my rights are as the neighbor. I couldnt sleep the night because these dogs barked at the wind and every other thing that caught their fancy. I live off of Katella ave and my kid sleeps in a very street noisy room- yet he couldnt survive the night of dog barking hell - what is the final straw is that the neighbors have done NOTHING to try to stop it- and so YES i plan on filing a complaint. i agree with everyone- its the owners that screwed up in this not the dogs but unfortunately the dogs are the cause of my inability to sleep! I have no doubt they will be paying a fine and i will keep complaining until the dogs are removed from the home (i can only dream!)

  By  sleepless in cypress, at 11:41 PM, June 18, 2007  

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• a lot of people are just so dense! if you can't be a RESPONSIBLE dog owner then please give your neighbors a break.

  By  Anonymous, at 10:10 PM, July 06, 2007  

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• How about starting over with your neighbors. Introduce yourself and try to work things out. Go over and hang out at there house or help them with there dogs. For the people that are angry and are just aholes why not just poision the dogs, ooh my life is being ruined by the barking dogs then do something about it, I know this is drastic and I am just being sarcastic, but you just own your piece of property, not the world around it. Build a sound wall 12 feet high and get double pane windows if its so bad. I have a dog that was given to my son and at times she barks at night but not past 10 pm.
  I have 3 boys that can make alot more noise than any dog and I want to be considerate to other people but things happpen. Before we got the dog I would hear others dog barking in my neighborhood and thats just they way life is. I have to put up with the trash trucks and the street sweeper and leaf blowers and lawn mowers, airplanes all the time. I used to work in the night and try and sleep during the day it was hard. you will notice that most complain that the night is distruptbed and dont care what happens during the day, but anyway, one thing that worked for me was ear plugs, yes ear plugs. Soft foam disposable ear plug. I lived in this county all my life from Orange groves to concrete jungles. Go live in a big city for awhile and you will beg for the solitude of the barking dog. For those that are from the outside and invaded our county only to try to change it with laws and complaining. Go back where you came from and stop calling people names this is socal and we are layed back, not hostile and malious. Feel free to vent now, ha ha

  By  Anonymous, at 11:48 AM, July 25, 2007  

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• It's 2:50am. Dog has been barking for 40 minutes. In previous talks with my neighbors, they tell me it's not their dog. They say it's the next house over. I walked out at 2:30am to see where the noise is coming from. It's my next door neighbors dog. Freakin a**wipes! How does anyone accomplish anything when people just lie? I think it's time for a fog horn and a video camera. Why the F should I have to go to that length to simply get peace and quiet and sleep in my own home?

  By  Anonymous, at 2:55 AM, July 31, 2007  

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• It all comes down to being considerate. Sadly, there are people that feel it's OK to intrude on others. I hope this law is enforce, and people take responsibility for their animal. We are way too lax in enforcing common decency these days.

  By  Anonymous, at 2:06 AM, August 01, 2007  

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• Wow! What this Ohioan wouldn't give for an ordinance like this!
  
  I live in a rural environment that used to be absolute bliss. In 2002 we got us'uns a new nayburr with three dune buggies and a voice like a foghorn. Two months later he brought home a dog his uncle gave him. The animal, who was the sweetest big lug you'd ever want to meet, had been raised on a 200 acre farm and never been tied in his life. So naturally a-hole ties him on a six-foot chain, new dog fascination wanes after a month, and they proceed to ignore him for the next three and a half years. Bark, bark, bark, bark, bark from sunup to well past sundown every damned day. We nick named these people Mr. and Mrs. Never B. Holmes, and I fought the good fight daily to keep myself from going over there and just taking the dog. But I'm not a thief.
  
  Well, in '04, Mrs. NBH took off and hasn't been seen since. The Mr. found a new girlfriend by summer's end, and thankfully the woman actually knew something about dogs. Within a couple months the dog was happy and quiet. Problem solved?
  
  You're kidding, right? Promptly, his next-door neighbors went out and got three Rottweilers to go with their previously quiet Collie, and Beagle. The only difference is, these dogs are not left alone. The homeowner's unemployed daughter is always out in the yard with them, egging them on in their "play." You haven't lived until you've listened to five large dogs bark non-stop for five and six hours every day.
  
  But, as I said, this is a rural place. Law enforcement is practically non-existent as it is, and there isn't ANY barking ordinance because they couldn't enforce it if there was. Plus, "Daddy," (who isn't home all day and therefore couldn't know) insists "them dogs don't bark that much!" Oh, and I'm the only one it bothers... well, me and about twenty other people. Bravo to Orange County for standing up for barking victim's rights!

  By  Anonymous, at 5:26 AM, September 01, 2007  

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• Please!! CLOSE YOUR WINDOWS you complainers! That's what I do when your babies are crying all day! Oh and by the way, there's no NOISE ORDINANCE for that! So if you're going to muzzle dogs then we should be muzzling babies and kids too! Let's talk about how the 12 kids that live in my condo community ride their skateboards all over, which by the way is illegal based on our association community laws. Oh and let's talk about why someone is raising a kid in a CONDO COMMUNITY! Umm.. how about trying being a little responsible for once and giving a kid a yard to play in instead of asphalt pathways through a community!!! Geezz... people get a grip! You don't see me complaining to the police when that happens to me do you! NO! Everyone wants something to complain about...if your that bothered by dogs then why don't you go live in the desert by yourself.. afterall your the one that chose to live in a close quartered community in the first place. In the end, dogs bark, babies cry, kids play... GET OVER IT! I have an idea! Why don't you get OUT of the house when it happens so you don't have to hear it.... LIKE I DO! Go to the beach, start a hobby, get a life! Instead of sitting home all day listening to see what you can complain about. And if it happens during inconvenient hours, CLOSE YOUR WINDOWS and run the AC like I do! And I promise you won't hear a thing... Bottom line, you guys seriously have to focus your energies on more important things in life, like how about HELPING people instead of COMPLAINING about them! The world would be a much better place if you took some responsibility for YOUR OWN thoughts and reactions to things.

  By  Anonymous, at 8:50 AM, September 08, 2007  

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• Muzzle kids and babies?? Seems as though you have a lot of energy on THAT subject--maybe you need a hobby. You obviously haven't read a lot of the above comments about barking at wee hours of the morning. Should they go to the beach then? It all comes down to irresponsible pet owners who are selfish boobs and have no consideration for anyone else. There's a big difference (at least in any rational thinking mind) between having a right to something (say an incessantly barking dog) and doing the RIGHT thing...

  By  Anonymous, at 11:13 AM, September 11, 2007  

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• Close my windows? My windows are closed. The fan is on and my earplugs are in my ears - but when the mutt next door is barking at 3:30AM, 3 feet from my window, it does no good. The neighbors already had a dog, one that didn't bother me much. Then they had to get a new dog - and leave it in their yard 15-18 hours a day - tell me, what is the point of having a dog when you leave it outside alone most of the time? Do you think you're doing the dog any favors? The dog is just being a dog when it barks - it's dog owners who lack all common sense and empathy for their fellow human beings. How about if I rev a motorcycle under your bedroom window at 3AM each night or blast my stereo in the middle of the night when you're trying to sleep - would you like that? Would you be an instigator for complaining? Having a dog is not a right, it's a privledge. Needing to sleep is a human necessity, as is having a stress free environment in your own home. I feel like my home has been invaded when I am subjected to dog barking day and night. it ruins my mental and physical health. Dog owners for the most part seem oblivious to the noise that their pets create and the trauma it causes people. Sorry, but I can't afford to live in an area that provides huge amounts of space between homes and from reading these pages, not even a rural enviroment helps. As a neighbor, I have a personal and moral responsibility to my neighbors to not do things to invade their space or disrupt their lives. You can't stop all noise all the time - like a lawn mower once a week - but you can be responsible and keep your dog inside or train it, walk it, not neglect it, etc. Dog noise is not occasional, it is incessant and one dog in the neighbor can often start all the dogs in the neighborhood barking. I am a home owner and a property tax payer - the rude dog owners next door are renters with no stake in living here. Whose rights should be upheld? Luckily, our police dept. is responsive to dog noise, but I don't want to get up in the middle of the night 5 times a week and call the police. I have left polite notes for the neighbors, talked to them face to face, called the landlord (who told me it wasn't his problem)and still have to hear the dog at 3:30am on a weeknight. What is wrong with the dog owner when they do nothing to mitigate the noise after they have been approached several times? They must be mentally deficient, or sociopaths who don't care about other people! I am not an instigator when I am in my home quietly living my life - the neighbors are instigators for not bringing their dogs in when they start to bark for an hour or more straight, or for leaving their dogs out all night or outside when they are out of the house. It's unbelievable to me that anyone could think that I am instigator in this instance. If you love your dog and you appreciate your own life and sense of peace and quiet, please take responsibility to curb your dogs barking.

  By  kd, at 9:55 PM, September 12, 2007  

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• i think this is ridculous. i have two dogs that are still puppies and when they hear noises, like the neighbors child screaming and crying outside, they bark. i should be able to cite the neighbors kid for causing noise outside to make my dogs bark. Also, i should be able to cite the neighbors when they are using a chainsaw at 7am on a saturday or mowing their lawn. if you don't like the dogs barking...move or stay inside.

  By  Anonymous, at 9:30 AM, September 21, 2007  

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• An adjacent neighbor filed an official barking dog complaint against my dogs. I was cited and attended a hearing. At the hearing, I produced three signatures from my other immediate stating that they did not experience my dogs as a nuisance. I also had 72hours of continuos video tape of my dogs to prove they were not a barking nuisance. The complaining neighbor produced his maid as a witness, and also signatures from nine of his friends who do not live anywhere close to me, to claim that my dogs were guilty. The complaining neighbors claim was upheld. My video tapes were not even accepted or documented as evidence. How is that for the new ordinance! A way for the county to collect money and an egostical white male neighbor to revenge an unfulfiled request.

  By  Ijeoma Iloputaife, at 6:15 PM, October 15, 2007  

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• Dogs have no business living in and around human domiciles. When there is a human-dog conflict, the human gets dibs, so to speak. When ONE human complains about barking, even for five minutes, the human wins: Barkers should be seized, removed from the offending yard where the barker is located, the dog impounded; the dog "owner" should be fined and/or jailed as a disincentive to continue his barker to bark.
  
  Dogs don't pay the mortgage or the rent. Until dogs pay mortgages and rents, HUMAN rights come first. Dogs should be allowed in human habitation areas only under strict circumstances, two of which are: dogs don't bark AT ALL; that they don't poop or pee near property lines so that neighbors smell excrement.
  
  I have heard countless times idiots say "But that's what dogs do -- bark." Sorry. Only unhappy dogs bark. Only miserable dogs bark chronically. Only suffering dogs bark incessantly. Having a barker is tantamount to animal abuse, and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. To protect human physical and mental health and well-being, tough "anti-barker" laws should be enacted in every municipality.
  
  When dog barks and "owner" does nothing, owner is training dog that barking is okay. Barking is learned, not innate.
  
  People who use dogs to protect their piece of real estate are stupid. In this high tech era, there are a lot better ways to protect house and home than having a barker, which alienates neighbors and, I can speak from experience, polarizing whole streets so that neighbor feuds destroy the neighborhood.
  
  In addition, barkers lower property values. Homeowners should crack down on any barkers within fifteen houses. If you can hear it but it's not close enough "to bother YOU," you can bet the barking is bothering somebody. People looking to buy houses drive around listening for quiet streets at all times of day and night. Potential buyers cross off their "possible" lists any locales that condone a chronic barker within fifteen houses. You never hear: "Oh we finally found a neighborhood that was NOISY! We just love how noisy it is around here." Do the math.
  
  Neighbor-noise kills. The number one neighbor-noise complaint is barking dogs. Barking has to stop entirely if we want healthy and desirable communities.

  By  Anonymous, at 5:30 AM, December 02, 2007  

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• The new law works.
  
  I had a problem dog behind me - he was quiet until the people came home and ignored him. Then he would sit at the window, watch them having fun inside, and howl and whine all evening long. Two complaints before the new law yielded nothing. I think the third one and the visit from the officer finally got some attention. They spend more time with the dog, have created an area in the garage for him, and he is generally quiet. I can deal with barks when a possum comes into the yard, or there is a temporary disruption - I get that - and to me that is when dogs bark (or the barking should be tolerated)
  
  Now, I'm lucky enough to have a new neighbor on the side - as soon as he leaves in the morning (5:30), the dog starts to bark - and goes until he gets home about 8 at night. I'd talk to him, but never see him at home, so I left a note today with a week to resolve it or I'll call animal control again.
  
  I truly want to put the bark collar on the owners and turn them up to high. But, since they won't let me do that, I'm going to try to hit them in the pocketbook - maybe I'll get their attention.
  
  As for now, I need some sleep - my 5:30 wakeup call is coming too soon.
  
  PS - anyone know of a remote bark control device that works? I've tried the whistles and the small high pitch electronics, but to no avail. I'd be interested in something more effective or lethal.

  By  Anonymous, at 6:23 PM, December 19, 2007  

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• Appeal at the Superior Court against Hearing Officers Decision
  My Attorney has filed an appeal against the decision of the County Hearing Officer at the Superior Court in Fullerton, California. Apparently this is the first time an appeal has been filed in the court in connection with the Barking Dog Ordinance therefore the wheel of justice is turning really slowly and will cost me more money than the loan I took out to pay initial Attorney retainer fee. However, the outrage I feel at the vicious lies from my complaining neighbor and his audacious public proclamation at the hearing that his aim was to get rid of Lady Day and Rudy minimizes anxiety at my lack of funds. I spend many a sleepless night wondering that such a biased law enforcer exists as the Hearing Officer that would dance twists and turns around testimonies and evidence in order to rule on the side of animal cruelty. For how am I to correct the “good” behavior of my dogs – by doing things to them that would make them think that I hate them?
  The irony of it all is that neither my complaining neighbor, nor the County of Orange has any legal backing for the citation I was issued or for the enforcement of collecting a fine of $250 from me. At the time of the citation, the Barking dog Ordinance had not been adopted by the city of Yorba Linda. The County had no authorization from the city to enforce it on their behalf.
  
  The rest of the story is on http://justice-for-dogs.blogspot.com/

  By  ladyday, at 11:45 AM, December 27, 2007  

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• I've been putting up with costant barking from my next door neighbor's for nearly 2 years. Another barker is behind my house though not as bad.
  
  I have talked to these people several times and they lie and become hostile.
  
  My next door neighbor is a rich immigrant from ????. He looks pretty crazy to me. If I use this new law I may be starting a war - he has been very hostile from the start - but I just can't stand the constant baking anymore.
  
  It's ruing my life - my business, my relationships, my health. In Costa Mesa you can call the cops if dogs bark after 10pm. Why don't other cities stand up and protect the rights of citizens??

  By  Anonymous, at 7:01 PM, January 04, 2008  

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• I agree I live in the city of Long Beach neighbor just move in behind me never had a barking dog problem tell now. Walk over and ask the neighbors to do something about it because it is right under three peoples windows. Of course they lied and say the dog would be gone the next day here it is day 6 and the dog is out here on a chain and doesn't bark all the time but barks at movement like going to your car or walking to and apartment the house is a rental and it has become a quality of life issue. It doesn't happen at night just in the day when they leave the animal out side all day long which tell me they are trying but they need to do something about the barking in the day no one wants to here all that noise it hasn't been a problem and now because your renting a house you feel it is ok when your surrounded by apartments and your the only one with a dog how soon before you think they will just leave the animal out there starting at night. you better believe this is going to be problems. Have also file with animal control and they say give the neighbor time to response before you file a complaint. This is sad that people cant work out there own issue and have to resort to other means.

  By  Anonymous, at 8:55 AM, January 15, 2008  

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• My neighbors are taking us to court on account of a few dog barking charges last November 2007. This is a CRIMINAL case, and I could go to jail. My neighbor calls the district attorney if my dog barks for just a moment. Since the charges, I have moved my dogs inside - day and night. They only go outside with me in the am and pm to use the bathroom. But now - I have to go to court. I can either: A) plead guilty to one of the charges. But then if my neighbor, who I hear is out to get many people in the neighborhood, calls and makes ONE complaint, I can technically face jail time and lose my professional license. And she is ready to call if she hears ANY barking. Or B) I have to get rid of my dogs - who I have had for 12 years and are members of my family. Help! These new laws - where someone can call and complain and you have to go to court, seems ridiculous. I have all to lose and my neighbor has nothing to lose.

  By  Lauren, at 6:50 PM, January 31, 2008  

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• hi-i live in tequesta florida-thirteen years -i own six small dogs-i had some new neighbors move in the condo behind my house-they complained to police-now i have to pay 1045.21 in fines-for four dog bark violations that occurred over the last 6 months-since they moved in-they are renters-i own my home-they have changed my life overnight-i now have to get rid of my beloved pets-for fear of receiving future fines to the tune of one thousand dollars per bark-as stated by the judge herself-i thought america gave us more rights and freedoms-to know anyone can complain about anything-and cause a neighbor to pay one thousand dollars overnite-is sickening.my family and i are in tears right now-we are now broke and must take our dogs to the pound tomorrow-just know that when you report someone's dog to the police-you can change that entire family's life-overnight.unbelievable.

  By  Anonymous, at 4:08 PM, February 25, 2008  

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• To all the "pro- dog barking" people on this blog-
  
  You, and I mean this, are everything that is wrong with society today. The incredible level of selfishness this illustrates is truly sad. "ME, ME, ME ME" is the theme of these ridiculous people actually defending their DOG's right to bark. Are you kidding me? These people have no respect for their fellow man. I had to sell a million + home for this exact reason. We tried everything - politely discussing it with our neighbors led to THEIR hostility toward us. The police, without this law, were unable/unto do anything.
  
  I agree, it is pathetic that we have to legislate common decency and common sense... but it has come to that. I welcome this law and will use it without hesitation in my new neighborhood.
  
  I myself have an American Bulldog that never barks because she was TRAINED not to. In fact, after 6 months of living in my new home, my neighbor saw me walking my dog and said to me "I didn't know you had a dog." -exactly how it should be.

  By  matthew, at 3:06 PM, March 07, 2008  

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• We have two dogs's. When we got our first one, years ago, there were two instances when she barked at night. Once was all night when we were out of town as the sitter we hired neglected to come over even though he promised he would. Our neighbor complained and we felt so bad, we vowed never to let that happen again. That was 5 or 6 years ago. We recently inherited another dog. We keep our dogs inside with us as much as possible, and play with them and love them as if they were our children. Unfortunately, we have to work and leave the dogs outside during the weekdays. They bark when the neighborhood cats go into the yard, or at the endless parade of possums that come around, or when strangers come by, like solictors, or the constuction workers across the street. This happens during the day, when the neighbors are at work. I think there may be a few retired people in the neighborhood, so they may be subject to the barking but they are not in the near vicinity. When we go out of town, we take the dogs with us or, we board them. More recently, on a few occasions, we had to work late, and didn't get home until after the neighbor did, and they barked at him when he was in the yard making noise, doing his yardwork. He even admitted tapping on the fence at the dogs. Now that the neighbor found out about the barking law, he has been threatening us with this. He has left nasty notes on our porch and one time waited for me in front of my house when my husband was out of town, and came up to me in the dark, to complain. I have been so stressed out about this, and now my poor dogs are like prisoners in the house. If they have to go outside to relieve themselves, they are under constant guard. In a last ditch effort, we even got the barking control collars, and my little dog was shocked when he barked and started crying. I felt so bad. I wish the neighbor would stop threatening us and just file the complaint with the city. I'd rather deal with the city, then to deal with his nasty attitude. We may end up having to give up our dogs, who are like family members, and my protection. Dogs are will be dogs and they bark, but they are also loving companions. I just feel so embarrased over the whole situation and don't wish to have conflict with our neighbors and want to keep the peace.

  By  Anonymous, at 4:08 PM, March 10, 2008  

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• For real?
  
  RIDICULOUS, indeed.

  By  dog containment system, at 11:39 PM, April 22, 2008  

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• To the single mom who complains about a $500 fine she can't afford: Irresponsible people like you shouldn't be allowed to care for kids or animals! If you are concerned about being fined $500, you have been creating an ongoing nuisance and deserve it. I am an animal lover (and single mom), but I get tired of pet owners who are inconsiderate, letting their dogs bark any time during day or night without consideration of anyone else. I have a right to enjoy a quiet Sunday afternoon, sleep at night without interruption, etc. If you are being fined, you deserve it and had it coming for a while. Considering the hassle that the rest of us have to go through, penalties aren't harsh enough!!

  By  Anonymous, at 11:35 AM, April 27, 2008  

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• I would just like to say as a dog lover and the owner of an awesome dog for 16 yrs. I understand how people feel regarding those who complain about barking dogs but I don't think its fare for those dogs to keep people up all night.
  
  AND YES, IT IS THE OWNERS FAULT AND NOT THE DOGS.
  
  I am dealing with this delima right now. What am I to do about the dog that lives behind me and barks at nothing 24/7. It also gets the other dogs in the neighborhood barking. It is impossible to sleep at night. The people that own him just leave him in the back yard as if he is lucky just to have a place to stay out of harms way and some food. What am I suppose to do for that dog without starting a war with my neighbor. I am trying to be consiterate of them, but they are not returning the same respect. They have been asked to take care of this and reported by other neighbors, and still this problem persists. OH YAH, THEY JUST ADDED A SECOND DOG AND NOW THEY TAKE TURNS BARKING ALL NIGHT!
  
  Yes dogs do bark, but it doesn't give you the right to inflit them on someone else. This kind of behavior makes it hard on those who do take care of the animals. People should not have dogs if they are not going to pay attention to them. Dogs are needy, they need attention, and lots of it!
  
  Signed
  HELP...DESPORATE FOR A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP!!!!!

  By  Anonymous, at 3:11 PM, May 21, 2008  

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• While there are legitimate cases of barking dogs in OC, this law is written poorly and has numerous flaws. It is basically an open door being used by neighbors of dog owners to lie and harass their dog owner neighbors and OCACS (Animal Care Services) is a party to this process.
  
  There is a group of dog owners and interested parties in OC banding together to fight this new ordinance. If you have a horror story and have been harrassed by either a neighbor or OCACS please contact me immediately at fightbarkinglaw@yahoo.com.
  
  We are extremely sorry for any people that have to live next to barking dogs on a daily basis and realize what a hell it might be for you. However, it is an equally unliveable hell to be accused of something that never occurred and have to keep trying to defend yourself to a corrupt organization. This new law is written and setup to make it much easier for people to lie, harrass and accuse people with no proof other than their own lies they perpetrate as the truth. From the animal control officer to the hearing director, they are all on the side of the accuser and no matter what you say or prove, you will have a hard time winning your case. All because of the loopholes in this law.
  
  PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS FIGHT! Every dog owner in Orange County should be concerned about this whether you have felt its effects yet or not.
  
  Thank you.

  By  fightbarkinglaw@yahoo.com, at 12:55 AM, June 09, 2008  

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• How about we get rid of this ordinance and call the police every time a barking dog creates a nuisance? The arriving officer can then issue a ticket at his or her discretion (similar to any other noise nuisance). This way, the citizen who feels entitled to file a complaint doesn't have to go through all the hassle and time that's required to have the fine imposed. Likewise, the accused dog owner will not feel wrongfully accused if the dog wasn't excessively barking.

  By  Anonymous, at 8:09 PM, June 23, 2008  

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• epbsThere is a dog next door to me, poor thing they leave it all night. The dog barks from 10pm until 7am, almost non-stop. I can't believe it can still bark. Even with ear plugs it keeps me awake. Been dealing with this for two months. I hate to report it because it's not the poor dog's fault, the owner's obvious have no respect for their animal or their neighbors.
  Bothered in Palmdale.

  By  Anonymous, at 11:17 PM, July 11, 2008  

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• well dogs will be dog but my neighbor has 2 dogs now that are inside for the day and out side for the night. And they will bark until 2 in the morning not cool for me and my 2 kids one witch is 2 months old I don't get much sleep anyway. But heres the kicker he has those shock collars and only turns them on when he has guest over. People who don't know what the f*%# there doing with dog and how to train them should give them away anyway. And now to give the dogs peanut butter.

  By  Anonymous, at 10:43 PM, July 30, 2008  

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• While I agree that dogs barking CONSTANTLY are annoying, I think that this law has too many loopholes. We have dogs in our neighborhood that bark all night long. No one complains about them. We have a neighbor behind us that has not got along with us since an issue with their fence falling in our yard years ago. Now, he complains about our dog barking. Except that the dog is only alone 5 hours a day and during that time he is kept inside. When we are home and he is outside, if he starts to bark we bring him in. He stays in after about 9:30 PM. One of the complaints came in when our dog was boarded for the day because we were having new carpets installed. So how could that be our dog? These are the same neighbors that have thrown things over the fence at the dog, taunted him, actually half climbed into our backyard to taunt him, and dumped water on him over the fence. He didn't used to bark when they were outisde, now he does because the tease him so much. But there is nothing that we can do about it. We had actually trained him not to bark at most of the common noises in the neighborhood until they started this. Now he is a lot more afraid. I don't like him barking and have been trying to work on it, but everytime I make some progress, they throw something at him over the fence again. I think that a lot of dog barking complaints are legitimate and should be addressed-there are owners that actually care about what their neighbors feel. But there are also a good portion of complaints that are less about the dog and more about problems between the neighbors. I was more upset that they couldn't come talk to us first before they filed a complaint with the city. Because I would have loved to have been given a chance to talk to the neighbor rationally and let him know what I was doing to work on the problem. And then go from there.

  By  Anonymous, at 11:32 PM, August 26, 2008  

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