In a lot of areas, barking laws have some sort of time element.
What this means is that a dog is only allowed to bark for so long before its noise is considered to be in violation of the law. In response to such silliness, let's engage in the following thought experiment:
Let's say you're in a community where there's a 15-minute limit on barking. Can you visualize a dog glancing at his watch and thinking "I've been barking for 14 minutes. If I cut it out in the next minute, I'll still be legal."
Of course you can't. Because dogs don't wear watches. And, unless they're really smart and can be taught to do so, they can't tell time.
I'm of the mind that these laws are yet another non-solution to the problem of chronic barking.
The Department of Shameless Self-Promotion. If all of those dogs that can't tell time are making your life miserable, have I got a store for you. At the
QuietBarkingDogs store, you'll find all sorts of simple, to-the-point fashions for peace and quiet activists. Such as this tee shirt -- "Is this a neighborhood or a kennel?" Wear that one to your next block party. I guarantee that you'll get some interesting reactions.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
This Week's Barking News Roundup - 06/28/12
Document Barking Dogs for Court Chesterfield Police Say
Excerpt: The main thing to do if you find a neighbor, for example, has persistent barking dogs, is to take it upon yourself to document the times and duration of the disturbance. This could be as simple as writing it down. Video with sound, and photos are helpful, yet still log the time of day, and how long the barking goes on. Don't trespass to get evidence.
Tip: This news story is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.
Dog barking complaints silenced for the summer
Excerpt: They may be all bark and no bite, but it is their yapping that has landed them in trouble with selectmen.
Tip: This news story is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.
Barking dog? Try psychiatry
Excerpt: ''We are seeing more and more behaviour problems in our companion animals,'' she added. ''We all have busy lifestyles, so quite often cats and dogs are spending less time with their owners and less time being socialised.
From the Advice Department, we have this question...
Dear Prudie: My boyfriend hates dogs. Should I postpone our marriage until mine dies?
Excerpt: I have a 9-year-old cocker spaniel. I've raised him since he was a puppy and I think of him as my four-legged son. However, my boyfriend of 10 months is allergic to dogs. He also dislikes them. He was attacked by one as a child and now won't go near dogs at all. As such, he almost never comes to my place. We are very committed to each other and wish to get married soon. [Yada-yada. Yada-yada.] Am I really nuts for putting my furry baby ahead of human babies?
My Answer: Yes you are nuts. Your cocker spaniel is a dog, not a human son. Nor is it a baby. When it was very young, it was a puppy. Since you're already a chronological adult, work on becoming an emotional adult.
Tip: This question awaits your answer. Follow the above link and offer it.
The Department of Shameless Self-Promotion. Are your neighbor's yappy dogs driving you bonkers. Instead of spending your money on a psychiatrist, why not do something much more fun? Head over to my QuietBarkingDogs store, where you'll find tee shirts like this one -- "Your Dog's Yapping Isn't Cute - It's Annoying."
Excerpt: The main thing to do if you find a neighbor, for example, has persistent barking dogs, is to take it upon yourself to document the times and duration of the disturbance. This could be as simple as writing it down. Video with sound, and photos are helpful, yet still log the time of day, and how long the barking goes on. Don't trespass to get evidence.
Tip: This news story is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.
Dog barking complaints silenced for the summer
Excerpt: They may be all bark and no bite, but it is their yapping that has landed them in trouble with selectmen.
Tip: This news story is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.
Barking dog? Try psychiatry
Excerpt: ''We are seeing more and more behaviour problems in our companion animals,'' she added. ''We all have busy lifestyles, so quite often cats and dogs are spending less time with their owners and less time being socialised.
From the Advice Department, we have this question...
Dear Prudie: My boyfriend hates dogs. Should I postpone our marriage until mine dies?
Excerpt: I have a 9-year-old cocker spaniel. I've raised him since he was a puppy and I think of him as my four-legged son. However, my boyfriend of 10 months is allergic to dogs. He also dislikes them. He was attacked by one as a child and now won't go near dogs at all. As such, he almost never comes to my place. We are very committed to each other and wish to get married soon. [Yada-yada. Yada-yada.] Am I really nuts for putting my furry baby ahead of human babies?
My Answer: Yes you are nuts. Your cocker spaniel is a dog, not a human son. Nor is it a baby. When it was very young, it was a puppy. Since you're already a chronological adult, work on becoming an emotional adult.
Tip: This question awaits your answer. Follow the above link and offer it.
The Department of Shameless Self-Promotion. Are your neighbor's yappy dogs driving you bonkers. Instead of spending your money on a psychiatrist, why not do something much more fun? Head over to my QuietBarkingDogs store, where you'll find tee shirts like this one -- "Your Dog's Yapping Isn't Cute - It's Annoying."
Thursday, June 21, 2012
This Week's Barking News Roundup - 06/20/12
Town suing Maine woman over barking dogs
Excerpt: The town's animal control officer... said neighbors who live directly behind [the defendant] on Hallowell Road have complained about the noise.
"The dogs are exhibiting uncontrollable barking in the neighborhood," [the animal control officer] said. "The neighbors actually got together with me and gave some statements regarding the situation and I served her a summons."
Tip: This news story is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.
Barking dogs on short leash in Jackson
Excerpt: Faced by a rising tide of complaints about barking dogs, Jackson County commissioners indicated this week that they would consider passing an ordinance that would muzzle the offenders.
Tip: This news story is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.
Barking dog could cost big penalty
Excerpt: Apparently the town of Selma's $20 penalty for dogs running at large or barking isn't getting the owners' attention.
So, last month during its regular monthly meeting, Council upped the penalty for nuisance animals with the minimum fee now at $100, which will go to $300 on a third complaint.
Tip: This news story is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.
From the Advice Department, we have the following questions...
Question: Looking for advice - a few doors from my house is a house where 4 dogs (and their owner) live. The dogs are outside around 6:30AM every morning for a few hours and then around 4:30PM - 8 or 9 PM every night (probably no water bowls) with no human in sight. They wake us up 7 days a week barking. They bark incessantly. They've never been out of their yard and spend most of their time it seems in a kennel/cage inside. Seems that way from their contained and continued barking inside thier home. We can't have a conversation outside or inside our house when they're outside, we need to close windows which doesn't help much and are feeling very stressed. Often times we can't talk to each other inside our home. How crazy is that!
Tip: This question awaits your answer. Follow the above link and offer it.
And, just when you thought it was safe to go out for a dog-free evening, along comes this...
We Should Be Encouraging People to Rescue Dogs, Not Presenting the Idea of Having One as a Social Kiss of Death.
Excerpt: My local coffee shop, Street Coffee on Bermondsey Street, even has treats on the bar. I take Potato there all the time and if I sense that I'm sitting next to someone who isn't comfortable with him, I keep him on my lap or ask them if they would like me to move. They rarely do.
This level of dog friendliness doesn't really happen in many other parts of London, especially not in Soho, which I think is a real shame.
Tip: This opinion piece is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.
The Department of Shameless Self-Promotion. As tempting as yelling at your neighbors' barking dogs may seem, you'll probably hurt your vocal cords. I've done that. In the interest of taking a different approach, I've created the QuietBarkingDogs store. Come on in for bumper stickers like this one -- "Yes I Do Mind If Your Dog Barks." Or be a peace and quiet fashionista by posing this question -- "Is this a neighborhood or a kennel?"
Excerpt: The town's animal control officer... said neighbors who live directly behind [the defendant] on Hallowell Road have complained about the noise.
"The dogs are exhibiting uncontrollable barking in the neighborhood," [the animal control officer] said. "The neighbors actually got together with me and gave some statements regarding the situation and I served her a summons."
Tip: This news story is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.
Barking dogs on short leash in Jackson
Excerpt: Faced by a rising tide of complaints about barking dogs, Jackson County commissioners indicated this week that they would consider passing an ordinance that would muzzle the offenders.
Tip: This news story is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.
Barking dog could cost big penalty
Excerpt: Apparently the town of Selma's $20 penalty for dogs running at large or barking isn't getting the owners' attention.
So, last month during its regular monthly meeting, Council upped the penalty for nuisance animals with the minimum fee now at $100, which will go to $300 on a third complaint.
Tip: This news story is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.
From the Advice Department, we have the following questions...
Question: Looking for advice - a few doors from my house is a house where 4 dogs (and their owner) live. The dogs are outside around 6:30AM every morning for a few hours and then around 4:30PM - 8 or 9 PM every night (probably no water bowls) with no human in sight. They wake us up 7 days a week barking. They bark incessantly. They've never been out of their yard and spend most of their time it seems in a kennel/cage inside. Seems that way from their contained and continued barking inside thier home. We can't have a conversation outside or inside our house when they're outside, we need to close windows which doesn't help much and are feeling very stressed. Often times we can't talk to each other inside our home. How crazy is that!
Tip: This question awaits your answer. Follow the above link and offer it.
And, just when you thought it was safe to go out for a dog-free evening, along comes this...
We Should Be Encouraging People to Rescue Dogs, Not Presenting the Idea of Having One as a Social Kiss of Death.
Excerpt: My local coffee shop, Street Coffee on Bermondsey Street, even has treats on the bar. I take Potato there all the time and if I sense that I'm sitting next to someone who isn't comfortable with him, I keep him on my lap or ask them if they would like me to move. They rarely do.
This level of dog friendliness doesn't really happen in many other parts of London, especially not in Soho, which I think is a real shame.
Tip: This opinion piece is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.
The Department of Shameless Self-Promotion. As tempting as yelling at your neighbors' barking dogs may seem, you'll probably hurt your vocal cords. I've done that. In the interest of taking a different approach, I've created the QuietBarkingDogs store. Come on in for bumper stickers like this one -- "Yes I Do Mind If Your Dog Barks." Or be a peace and quiet fashionista by posing this question -- "Is this a neighborhood or a kennel?"
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
A Blind Spot in Their Eco-Consciousness
'Twas about 4:50 a.m. when I heard a barking outburst from across the street. Ah, yes, it's the oh-so-green-and-sustainable neighbors' dog, announcing itself to the work.
Oops. Excuse me. What's that? An hour later, the dog's having another front yard conniption. People, let the dog back into the house. I'm sure it's been outside long enough to do its business.
I don't know the dog's owners very well -- they live behind a high wall that reverberates every time their dog barks. I don't know anyone else around here who's friendly with them. They don't spend a lot of time chatting with the neighbors.
What I do know is that the dog owners are a couple who are quite into the eco-consciousness movement. To the point of both being employed by the same environmental organization.
However, I'm here to tell you that I think that they have a blind spot in their eco-consciousness. I find it hard to believe that they can ignore all the barking that their dog is doing. The list of things that set this dog off is quite long. Here are just five of its barking triggers:
I suspect that this dog was adopted from a shelter. The eco-consciousness people tend to be into that sort of thing. No going to the breeders for them. That's unsustainable.
However, I think that more than a few of the eco people have something in common with those who are involved with the animal rights movement. I've noticed that a lot of them have difficulty relating to people, so they immerse themselves in big causes like The Earth or Saving Animals.
Okay, neighbors, so you've saved this dog from euthanasia. Good for you. Now, could you save your neighbors from the chronic barking?
The Department of Shameless Self-Promotion. At the risk of repeating myself, here I go again. The goal of this blog is to make chronic barking as unfashionable as secondhand smoke. Which, as we know, is a form of pollution.
For your ecologically conscious neighbors who can't quite make the leap from one type of pollution to another, here's a bumper sticker for your car. Perhaps they'll read it and take the hint -- "Barking Is Noise Pollution." Or how about a tee shirt for your pleasant strolls through the neighborhood? Your "Barking - Ruining Our Quality of Life - One Neighborhood at a Time" shirt will surely get some attention.
Oops. Excuse me. What's that? An hour later, the dog's having another front yard conniption. People, let the dog back into the house. I'm sure it's been outside long enough to do its business.
I don't know the dog's owners very well -- they live behind a high wall that reverberates every time their dog barks. I don't know anyone else around here who's friendly with them. They don't spend a lot of time chatting with the neighbors.
What I do know is that the dog owners are a couple who are quite into the eco-consciousness movement. To the point of both being employed by the same environmental organization.
However, I'm here to tell you that I think that they have a blind spot in their eco-consciousness. I find it hard to believe that they can ignore all the barking that their dog is doing. The list of things that set this dog off is quite long. Here are just five of its barking triggers:
- Children walking to the school bus stop
- A disabled adult in a motorized scooter
- A couple pushing a baby in a stroller
- Teenagers bouncing a basketball as they're heading over to the courts in the city park
- A lady walking her dog on a leash
I suspect that this dog was adopted from a shelter. The eco-consciousness people tend to be into that sort of thing. No going to the breeders for them. That's unsustainable.
However, I think that more than a few of the eco people have something in common with those who are involved with the animal rights movement. I've noticed that a lot of them have difficulty relating to people, so they immerse themselves in big causes like The Earth or Saving Animals.
Okay, neighbors, so you've saved this dog from euthanasia. Good for you. Now, could you save your neighbors from the chronic barking?
The Department of Shameless Self-Promotion. At the risk of repeating myself, here I go again. The goal of this blog is to make chronic barking as unfashionable as secondhand smoke. Which, as we know, is a form of pollution.
For your ecologically conscious neighbors who can't quite make the leap from one type of pollution to another, here's a bumper sticker for your car. Perhaps they'll read it and take the hint -- "Barking Is Noise Pollution." Or how about a tee shirt for your pleasant strolls through the neighborhood? Your "Barking - Ruining Our Quality of Life - One Neighborhood at a Time" shirt will surely get some attention.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
New Dog in the Neighborhood
So the rental that's been vacant since March has new tenants. This is the same place I wrote about in my "Getting a Clue, Barking Edition" post.
What I didn't share in that post was my struggle with the property management company. I made numerous phone calls, begging even pleading, with the company to get control of the chronic barking situation. My efforts were fruitless.
That's why I went to court. What else was I to do? Continue to allow those irresponsible dog owning tenants to continue to destroy my quality of life?
Since the overly entitled college girls with the deaf dog moved out in the summer of 2010, there's been another set of dog-owning tenants. And yes, another robo-barker. Which was a pit bull. Since a lot of landlords won't rent to tenants with pit bulls, I saw an opportunity.
I wrote a cease and desist letter to the property management company. Letter stated that there was a pit bull on the property, that the dog's aggressive barking was disturbing the peace and quiet of the neighborhood, and that there are city and county ordinances against animal noise that goes beyond a property line.
What I didn't share in that post was my struggle with the property management company. I made numerous phone calls, begging even pleading, with the company to get control of the chronic barking situation. My efforts were fruitless.
That's why I went to court. What else was I to do? Continue to allow those irresponsible dog owning tenants to continue to destroy my quality of life?
Since the overly entitled college girls with the deaf dog moved out in the summer of 2010, there's been another set of dog-owning tenants. And yes, another robo-barker. Which was a pit bull. Since a lot of landlords won't rent to tenants with pit bulls, I saw an opportunity.
I wrote a cease and desist letter to the property management company. Letter stated that there was a pit bull on the property, that the dog's aggressive barking was disturbing the peace and quiet of the neighborhood, and that there are city and county ordinances against animal noise that goes beyond a property line.
Final paragraph said that if the property management company had any questions, they were welcome to contact my attorney. His name was on the cc: line.
Shortly after I sent the letter via certified mail, return receipt requested, that pit bull disappeared. And no, the tenants did not get another dog. They moved back in March.
Yesterday evening, I noticed a black dog inside the front yard of this property. So far, it has been quiet. And that's a good thing. I hope that the good behavior continues.
But I also know that this particular property has been vacant for 10 months during the last two years. And there's a lot of rental vacancy here. Last I heard, the local rental vacancy rate was way up there at 16%.
High vacancy rates can lead to landlords being less than choosy about who they lease to. And, since they want to keep those rent checks a-coming in, they're not going to be too concerned about the neighbors being disturbed by tenants' dogs.
But we, the neighbors, are not without resources. The cease and desist letter is a very powerful tool. Believe me, landlords don't enjoy getting these letters.
Because the possibility of having to deal with a neighbor's attorney could cost them money. Lots of money. And a lot of landlords aren't making much money on their rentals. Especially in a high vacancy market.
The Department of Shameless Self-Promotion. Top of the page says that this blog's goal is to to make chronic barking as unfashionable as secondhand smoke. And you know what? The trend is very much our friend. All over the world, people are getting fed up with the noise. Tell the world you're on the bandwagon by heading over to my QuietBarkingDogs store. Tell those dog owners something very simple -- "Yes You Can Keep Your Dog Quiet."
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
This Week's Barking News Roundup - 06/13/12
SWAT arrests Fort Collins man over barking dog dispute
Excerpt: [The suspect], who is medically disabled and struggles to sleep due to chronic eye pain, began complaining about his neighbor’s dogs almost immediately after moving into the upscale West Vine Bungalows neighborhood with his wife in February 2009.
He complained that his neighbors’ two dogs barked all day long while their owners were away. He sent what he called “kindly notes” asking the owners to quiet their dogs. He consulted an animal behaviorist and suggested the dogs’ owners buy bark collars.
He got no satisfaction.
Tip: This news story is open for comments via Facebook.
Gearhart gives tentative approval to beefed up barking dog ordinance
Excerpt: The Gearhart City Council has tentatively approved a revised ordinance that would levy fines against the owner of a dog which persistently barks or howls, indoors or outdoors, for five minutes or more four times within an hour.
Coming up next: Gearhart dogs learn how to tell time.
Tip: This news story is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.
Try a shock collar
Dog ownership and urban living
The Department of Shameless Self-Promotion. Tired of all the noise? And the excuses from irresponsible dog owners and officialdom? Step into my QuietBarkingDogs store for bumper stickers like this one -- "Responsible owners keep their dogs quiet." Or wear your sentiments on tee shirts and other clothing. You might enjoy making your point with a "Peace and Quiet - What a Concept" shirt.
Excerpt: [The suspect], who is medically disabled and struggles to sleep due to chronic eye pain, began complaining about his neighbor’s dogs almost immediately after moving into the upscale West Vine Bungalows neighborhood with his wife in February 2009.
He complained that his neighbors’ two dogs barked all day long while their owners were away. He sent what he called “kindly notes” asking the owners to quiet their dogs. He consulted an animal behaviorist and suggested the dogs’ owners buy bark collars.
He got no satisfaction.
Tip: This news story is open for comments via Facebook.
Gearhart gives tentative approval to beefed up barking dog ordinance
Excerpt: The Gearhart City Council has tentatively approved a revised ordinance that would levy fines against the owner of a dog which persistently barks or howls, indoors or outdoors, for five minutes or more four times within an hour.
Coming up next: Gearhart dogs learn how to tell time.
Tip: This news story is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.
Try a shock collar
Excerpt: Dog owners put their dogs in the backyard, tied up or in a kennel, and then go off to work. And the dogs bark all day. Most of us live in close quarters, and it is rude, unneighborly and illegal to let your dogs bark.
Tip: This letter to the editor is open for comments. Follow the above link to add yours.Dog ownership and urban living
Excerpt: I recall one incident in particular where a dog’s barking drove me up
the wall one morning while I was trying to do some writing at home in
Sherwood. After an hour of putting up with the barking, I decided enough
was enough, and went out to search for the source of the noise. An
elderly neighbour soon joined me, saying she was going to give the dog
owner a piece of her mind for the ruckus the animal was creating.
Early Morning Anguish
It's an everyday occurrence around here. In the hours before dawn, the air is filled with the sound of barking. In some cases, endless barking. After the sun rises, the noise gets even worse. And, at this time of the year, the sun rises shortly after 5 a.m.
What are these dogs so upset about? Who knows.
But does the sleep of the rest of us need to be disturbed by it? I think not.
The Department of Shameless Self-Promotion. If your neighborhood sounds like a kennel during the hours that you're trying to sleep, you have my sympathy. From my QuietBarkingDogs store, here's a tee shirt that might get the message across to your clueless neighbors -- "In the wee hours of the morning, I don't need to hear your barking dog." And here's a clue that you can add to your car's bumper -- "Yes I Do Mind If Your Dog Barks."
What are these dogs so upset about? Who knows.
But does the sleep of the rest of us need to be disturbed by it? I think not.
The Department of Shameless Self-Promotion. If your neighborhood sounds like a kennel during the hours that you're trying to sleep, you have my sympathy. From my QuietBarkingDogs store, here's a tee shirt that might get the message across to your clueless neighbors -- "In the wee hours of the morning, I don't need to hear your barking dog." And here's a clue that you can add to your car's bumper -- "Yes I Do Mind If Your Dog Barks."
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