We have an interesting system here in the city of St. Paul for handling barking dogs, the same system is used for property complaints and for noise complaints including the discharge of illegal fire words.
A couple of weeks ago I was visited by officer friendly form the city Animal control department. He stopped by to give me a warning ticket for having a barking dog.
I told him that there must be a mistake my dog rarely barks and is in the house most of the time. It was hard to hear his response because of the barking dogs across the street. I imagine that every time he writes a ticket he hears the same story.
He told me that he had to give me a kind of warning ticket becasue a neighbor called and complained about my barking dog. I told him that I didn’t think one of my neighbors called and that there must be a mistake. I asked him if he could hear the dogs across the street. he said that he could but was still going to give me a ticket.
The system is complaint driven. Tickets are only issued if someone complains. I stood on my front porch and argued with him for a time. My dog was in the house, not far away from me and never uttered a sound. Some watch dog she is.
My neighbor Walker, from across the street, came over and told the animal control officer that he was making a mistake. The officer said that someone had complained and that he was writing a ticket. Walker said that he was the neighbor who called and had accidentally given the wrong address for the barking dog. He pointed to the close by house where two dogs were in the yard barking and had been the entire time I was trying to argue my way out of a ticket.
Walker apologized, I said no need, it was an honest mistake, but I am still ticked at animal control. We have rules about excessive barking and he stood and listened to it but could not do anything about it becasue no one called and complained.
We got a ticket about six years ago for having too many cats and for letting them roam free. At the time we had no cats. They used to hang out in our yard, and honestly there is no way to keep them out. I think they liked the bird feeder so we got rid of it.
The complaint driven systems we have are ridiculous. St. Paul citizens can fire off bottle rockets and shoot them at police cars if they like. As long as no one complains, even though they are illegal in Minnesota, it is allowed. The same with the barking dogs, animal control can hear them but will take no action. The same is true with property problems. A yard can be heaped with junk but the building inspector will walk right past it to get to the house next door becasue a neighbor called about peeling paint. I have seen this happen in my own neighborhood. Someone does not like the neighbor with pealing paint so he has gotten numerous complaints.
I think when it comes to noise those of us who live in densely populated urban areas have to expect some noise. I also think that we should all do our best to keep it to a dull roar so that we do not infringe upon our neighbors rights to peacefully enjoy their property. When there is a problem I have been known to actually knock on a neighbors door and talk to him or her. Not many people are willing to do that. Why not?
Apparently Daisy has something to say about all of this and has written a blog post about it on Our Saint Paul.
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A neighbor and friend of mine was investigated about a year ago for “neglecting” her dog. I know her, her family and her dog well, and when they go out of town the dog and other family pets are in my care. I can tell you, these animals are VERY well cared for and adored. But the complaint came from a couple who never had children and objected to her dog spending a large portion of his day out in the fenced yard. (In pretty weather, with lots of fresh food and water available. And this dog came to the family as an adult stray and preferred time outside.) Animal control didn’t see a need to “protect” the dog from his loving family. Thankfully.
I hate that you got a ticket when it wasn’t even your dog barking, but I am glad to hear that Daisy is so well behaved.
Sarah – he ripped up the ticket when Walker said that he had called and gave the wrong address. The dog is well behaved most of the time. Barking just isn’t a problem with her. She likes to take things that don’t belong to her and that is a problem
Teresa, please accept this five star award for your well behaved pooch.
*****
I am changing the system, one dog at a time. I’m on my way to The Scoop to award both well behaved cats and dogs. I think the system is complain driven in Hurricane, WV, too.
Now if there were only a complaint driven system for barking Realtors!
There goes one now . . .
Chris – trust me the pooch is evil, she just had the good sense to be quiet about it.
Dave my friend, you sure do have some strange customs there in Tucson. Our agents here have been I known to bite, but I have never heard on bark.
T, I’m curious, why didn’t he immediately accept your complaint about the actively barking dogs? Or do you have to call them in, and thus he may/may not come back?
Steve – I thought about it after he left the best way to handle it would have been to pick up my phone and call his office. The neighbor who complained was there and the animal control dude did go across the street so I guess it worked out.
We have a similar complaint system here where I live and they have been changing it because it got out of hand, especially with those bored neighbors that don’t have anything to do.
You either become friends with code enforcement or spend the year arguing violations.
Daisy Rocks! we had no doubt it wasn’t her.
If I’m gonna get in trouble, and I often do, let it be for something I’ve actually done!
Bow-Woo!