Barking Dogs!!

[Oxford]

My neighbor in San Marcos has two loud german shepherds that bark excessively and disturb many of the neighbors including me. The woman who owns them is a total psycho and enjoys the annoyance and disturbance she creates. There are too many stories to tell, but trust me. Most all are afraid of her and her bully ways.

I am gathering information regarding code enforcement and steps to effectively solve the issue, but I thought I would run this by the PIGGS to tap into your wisdom and knowledge for dealing with nuisance barking dog issues.

OX
…back again 🙂

[an]

Is there an automatic dog whistle you can set up to make the dog bark 24/7? Maybe that’ll annoy her too and she’ll do something about it. Else, maybe it’ll make the dogs bark enough that they’ll lose their voice permanently :-D.

[Oxford]

I don’ t think that would help. She enjoys harassing the neighborhood so that would make her happier.

[svelte]

Been down this exact path, Ox, about 10 years ago at a house in San Marcos. Not my current house – I have excellent neighbors now.

Here is what I found out through much experimentation.

Buy one of these and mount it above the fence line:

Actually buy two. That’s what I did. Works like a charm if the dog is in the next yard. If the dog is a few yards over, it may not work as great – or maybe you can buy them and donate them to the neighbor whose yard abuts the dogs. 🙂

And actually they have a new and improved version that is apparently stronger but requires batteries:

I should note that the original device works great on big dogs with strong barks. It struggles with yappy dogs with high pitched barks.

Another way to go is to call the SM Sheriffs Dept. They will come out, though it will take awhile. One or two visits from the sheriff will often get the msg across. To take any legal action, I think two or more complaining neighbors are required. At least that’s the way it used to be.

[jwizzle]

I sympathize with this from two perspectives – one, because barking dogs annoy me, and two, because I have a dog that has defied all bark-control attempts (and I have tried it all – the sonic things, shock collars, citronlla bark spray, spraying water in the dogs face myself).

I would try talking to her. Make sure she is aware that everyone around her is annoyed, and tell her that you will start reporting her. Assuming she is unapologetic (as it sounds like she will be), then do it. And check out the sonic thing someone else recommended in the meantime – it may not have worked for one of my dogs, but the other would bolt to the back of the house whenever either of them barked. I ended up turning it off because I felt like I was punishing my other, non-barking dog.

[Hatfield]

Once, I had a tenant who had a barking dog. The neighbor never talked to them about it, they never talked to me about it, instead they called Code Compliance. They came out, made an assessment, and then sent me (the property owner) a letter saying that complaints had been received, and if the problem was not resolved by such-and-such a date, that I would be fined a couple hundred dollars. As it happened, the tenant had already moved out at this point so the issue had already been resolved.

I was curious how the process worked, though, so I called Code Compliance and asked a series of what-if questions. Long of the short of it is: there’s not much due process. Once they make a determination to fine you, you either pay the fine or face leins. I would think there would be some sort of appeals process, but if there is, it’s pretty damn opaque.

So if the situation really is intractable, you might want to sic Code Compliance on her.

[CDMA ENG]

Your Muni Code is pretty clear. I would suggest filing a complaint.

Look at 6.24.140 and 6.24.170. The only thing it does not state is who to complian to.

http://www.ci.san-marcos.ca.us/index.aspx?page=174

I had the same problem with an apartment neighbor. She liked to party all night long and the dog had seperation anxiety. Two complaints to SD Code enforcement and she didn’t party anymore…

CE

[sdduuuude]

In the city of SD, there is a noise abatement form.

I recommend this process, though I have resolved this through other means (see below).

First, talk to the owner. Ask them to make it stop.

Second, send them a letter asking them to stop. Take a few days documenting when they bark and include those details in the letter. Might want to mention in the letter that there is a big fine associated with a citation and that you intend to file a noise abatement form. Helps to include the form with the letter so they know you are following a formal process and have the form in-hand.

Third, fill out the form, make a copy of it and give it to the owner or put it on their doorstep.

If that doesn’t work, sign it and send it in.

It’s a long process and I’ve never had to go through it. I have had better luck sending anonymous post cards to the owner saying that they are annoying the whole neighborhood, that several neighbors are tired of it, that the fine is $600 and if it doesn’t stop the city will be notified. Usually, barking dogs are caused by owners not being home and not knowing about it so this approach works well.

[Oxford]

PIGGS ROCK! Thanks for all the great suggestions and information. I am taking notes and will plan my next course of action.

OX
…don’t harsh my mellow, bitch.

[all]

I was hoping you posted something about Barking Dogs by Butthole Surfers.

[CDMA ENG]

[quote=sdduuuude]In the city of SD, there is a noise abatement form.

I recommend this process, though I have resolved this through other means (see below).

First, talk to the owner. Ask them to make it stop.

Second, send them a letter asking them to stop. Take a few days documenting when they bark and include those details in the letter. Might want to mention in the letter that there is a big fine associated with a citation and that you intend to file a noise abatement form. Helps to include the form with the letter so they know you are following a formal process and have the form in-hand.

Third, fill out the form, make a copy of it and give it to the owner or put it on their doorstep.

If that doesn’t work, sign it and send it in.

It’s a long process and I’ve never had to go through it. I have had better luck sending anonymous post cards to the owner saying that they are annoying the whole neighborhood, that several neighbors are tired of it, that the fine is $600 and if it doesn’t stop the city will be notified. Usually, barking dogs are caused by owners not being home and not knowing about it so this approach works well.[/quote]

I just called them… Twice within about seven days of each other. There must have been other callers becasue the took care of it immediately.

About two weeks from start to finish… But the dog was horrible… Howled at night long… Non-stop.

CE

[EconProf]

I do not allow tenants with pets. Solves a lot of problems. Every time I allowed a dog in the past I lived to regret it. That may cost something in lower rent, but it has proved worth it overall.

[moneymaker]

I remember once my girlfriend had a crazy neighbor, literally who would stand on her balcony and scream well into the night. I remember being amazed that nobody shot her dead, I guess people get mad at dogs but will tolerate humans, my goal in life is to be more like my dog.

[blake]

Just blast this in a loop and call it even.

[zk]

[quote=Oxford]PIGGS ROCK! [/quote]

Truly, they do. Really, a great forum with fantastic people. A great community. And I’d be saying that even if I wasn’t 7 margaritas deep. But probably not actually typing it here.

[Author]

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