Maplewood Laws about constant barking dogs

My neighbor has 3 dogs that when they are outside bark at anything and everyone that walk by esp. other dogs. Is there some kind of law against this? Something that I can bring to my neighbors attention.They are nice people but stay inside most of the time. They just let their dogs roam around in the back for hours at time, don't even tell them to stop barking or anything. Most untrained, uncontrolled dogs around. I would like to let neighbors be aware of such law first before I complain because like I said the people are nice. The dogs won't shut up though when they are out. They put up a wired fence, if they would have put up a wood fence this wouldn't be an issue because the dogs wouldn't see out. Something has to be done.

Thank you for help.

Check with the town to see if any laws are on the books.

You don't need a law to make a polite request.

What Tom said. Talk to them. Once you start unleashing "the law" on your neighbors, it becomes an arms race that nobody wins.

I don't know about the law, but I was on a plane a couple days ago and saw a device in the skymall catalog that would emit a noise irritating to dogs whenever they bark. It's probably available through Amazon or other normal sources which would be cheaper than the magazine.

Unless it was changed there is most definitely a law covering excessive noise and dogs are included. That said, it would be nice to speak to your neighbors first.

cmontyburns said:

What Tom said. Talk to them. Once you start unleashing "the law" on your neighbors, it becomes an arms race that nobody wins.

Yup. As Miss Manners has said, the law is a blunt instrument. Use it as a last resort, not a way to approach your neighbor for the first time.

thanks for suggestions

In my experience the laws are virtually unenforceable. The responsibility for enforcing the laws against dogs barking falls on the animal control officer. So, the animal control officer has to be on duty and available ( which seems to be never) when the offending barking is occuring.

Red_Barchetta said:

I don't know about the law, but I was on a plane a couple days ago and saw a device in the skymall catalog that would emit a noise irritating to dogs whenever they bark. It's probably available through Amazon or other normal sources which would be cheaper than the magazine.

Sorry to say, it doesn't work. I tried it when we lived in NJ for my former neighbors dog.

They also sell one that sprays a mist of citronella in the dogs face, my dog would hate that. http://www.amazon.com/Premier-GentleSpray-Citronella-Anti-Bark-Collar/dp/B0002D31QU
@ Red, how was your 1st day?

MetalArt

The dog is barking for a reason. Correct the owner.

is this house close to the village?

What law would you quote in threatening your neighbor or contacting the police? I seriously doubt that you neighbors are doing anything illegal by keeping their dogs in a fully fenced in wire enclosure, which is sufficiently high enough to keep said dogs from jumping over said fence. The barking is apt to be sporadic and how would you go about establishing that said barking exceeds any existing noise ordinance?
Even if there were a law against this type of behavior, I really wouldn't recommend being confrontational, especially as a first attempt at rectifying what for you is obviously an annoying condition which may be preventing you from enjoying your own home.

A few considerations that may help in deciding how to approach the neighbors on this issue:

Are the neighbors inside the house while the dogs are outside or are the neighbors away from the house, at work for example?

Is this a recent occurrance (i.e. new neighbors, newly acquired dogs, new practice, etc.), or a long standing practice that has finally gotten to you to the point where you need to take some action?

Is there an obvious [to you] reason why the dogs spend so much time outside?

What resolution would like to see to this problem?

Once you have these and other factors clear in your head, it is time to have a calm discussion with your nice neighbors and try to work out a solution for all of you.

Good luck.

sarahzm said:

In my experience the laws are virtually unenforceable. The responsibility for enforcing the laws against dogs barking falls on the animal control officer. So, the animal control officer has to be on duty and available ( which seems to be never) when the offending barking is occuring.

dave said:

The dog is barking for a reason. Correct the owner.

When I lived in Maplewood my neighbor had a brown lab who would bark from the moment he was put out until the moment he came back in. We got along very well and we talked about the barking. He tried to get the dog to stop but it was useless. His wife would put the dog out for a long time and just wouldn't pay attention to him.
Anyway, one day he received a summons in the mail. I don't remember the exact charge, but it had something to do with the excessive noise. Someone on the block behind ours worked nights. During the day he slept. So without coming over and saying anything to my neighbor he just filed a formal complaint. We laughingly called it "The Barking Ticket". He paid the fine and took better care of the dog.

Dave, I agree with you 100%.

The problem with barking complaints is--you have to be sure where the barking is really coming from.

In the Op's case--he knows and is sure, but several years ago I got a summons for MY barking dog.
True--I had a dog--but she rarely EVER barked. She wasn't a barking dog--the nanny was home, so she could have stopped any barking--if there was any. My dog was never outside alone. We don't have a fenced yard to leave a dog out in.

However--some neighbor (I do not know who) complained about MY dog barking all day--and I got a summons.
But I think they meant to complain about the dogs that we across the street on the corner--who were outside and barking all day starting in the morning.

My dog barked so infrequently that one day my neighbor heard her bark (for a minute)--and called me because she was so concerned there might be trouble next door....because--"MOLLY NEVER BARKS!"

It was only a summons--so I didn't have to pay anything.

With that said--I agree the first action should be a visit to the neighbor and let him know his dog's barking is bothering you.

You can certainly speak with the neighbors but be prepared to not get the response you were seeking. We had dogs behind us that would bark day and night because they were left out constantly-besides being left with no water and being chained up. Called the cops every single GD time. These people were animals themselves that threw sh*t in our yard, the young one cursed out my husband, father was no better, amongst other things. Officer said it was the right thing to do. A barking dog is not a happy dog. I have a dog. She doesn't bark. Record them barking with a time stamped video to prove your point.

my advice. buy youself four dogs and keep em out back.

See 181-2A(3)


Maplewood

§ 181-1. Noise restricted.

It shall be unlawful for a person to make, continue or cause to be made or continued any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise or any noise which does or is likely to annoy, disturb, injure or endanger the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others

§ 181-2. Unlawful acts.
A. Without intending to limit the generality of § 181-1, the following acts are hereby declared to be examples of loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise in violation of this article:
(1) Radios; televisions; phonographs. The playing, use or operation of any radio-receiving set, television, musical instrument, phonograph or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound in such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring inhabitants or with louder volume than is necessary for convenient hearing for persons who are in the room, vehicle or chamber in which the machine or device is operated and who are voluntary listeners. The operation of such a set, instrument, phonograph, machine or device between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. so that it is clearly audible at a distance of 100 feet from the building, structure or vehicle in which it is located shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this article.
(2) Yelling; shouting. Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on the public streets, particularly between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or at any time or place, which annoys or disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office, dwelling, hotel, motel or other type of residence or of any persons in the vicinity.
(3) Animals; birds. The keeping of animals or birds which, by causing frequent or long-continued noise, disturbs the comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity.