Posted on 07/13/2009 12:29:05 PM PDT by Huntress
EPPING – A dog in an Epping neighborhood barked up the wrong tree and ended up in police custody.
Police took the unusual step last Sunday of seizing the barking dog from a Camp Lee Road residence after neighbors got fed up and complained.
Epping police Sgt. Jason Newman said the dog was removed by police because it had been barking much of the day outside the residence while owner Lorraine Neal was away. When Officer Bradley Jardis was unable to locate Neal, the dog was taken to the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Stratham until she returned home and retrieved the dog.
Though it was a first offense, Neal was cited yesterday for her barking dog and will now have to go before a judge, who will decide whether she should be fined. Neal did not return a phone call seeking comment yesterday.
"Typically if the folks were home, we'd just ask them to control the dog and keep it inside," Newman said. "It's rare that a dog would just be outside barking and being a nuisance when the owner isn't home."
According to state law, a dog can be considered a "nuisance" if it barks for sustained periods of more than 30 minutes or during the night hours, disturbing the peace and quiet of a neighborhood. The law exempts dogs used for guarding, working or herding livestock.
The barking can lead to fines of $25 for the first offense and $100 for a second or subsequent offense in the same 12-month period.
Barking is among the top five complaints that SPCA officials hear from dog owners. In most cases, excessive barking is caused by boredom, said Susan Carney, manager of the SPCA's behavior and training programs.
Increasing exercise is one of the best ways to address a dog's constant barking, Carney said. Exercise could include walking, running, wrestling or playing. Sitting and chewing on something can also provide exercise, said Carney, who encourages owners not to leave their dogs outside while they're gone.
The SPCA offers a variety of training programs to help owners deal with barking and other related concerns.
Kingston Police Chief Donald Briggs Jr. said complaints about barking dogs and dogs at large are the top animal complaints in his town.
The only time that Kingston police would seize a dog is if officers thought it was a threat to itself, another animal or a person. Briggs said his department usually assesses fines for the first two offenses and summons owners to court on the third offense.
Police say fining owners usually sends a strong message.
"That pretty much gets their attention and tells them that we're not going to stand for it," said David R. Sargent, Plaistow's animal control officer.
Plaistow issues a verbal warning for a first offense, written warning for the second offense, and fines for the third and fourth offenses.
Sargent said he would only take a dog if it appeared to be in distress or in need of medical care.
"I don't want to take a dog unless I absolutely have to," he said.
lol, I’d like to see the line of questioning for the defense and prosecution. “Did you, Mr. Fido, bark at the time and place in question?” “Please bark yes or no, no elaborating please.”
Do the dogs get to have a paid by the taxpayers, court interpreter?
LOL. There are so many unanswered questions—
Can you imagine finding a jury of his peers?
Will his attorney be a legal beagle?
Will the judge allow any straying?
Will the officer responsible for the collar be called on to testify?
I bought something similar. Mine is concealed in a bird house pointed right at my inconsiderate neighbor’s porch. Dog barks once and then just growls. Dog lover and responsible pet owner are two separate things.
Unfortunately the dog bears the brunt on the punishment though the offensive behaviors really started with the owner.
tell them the truth.
signed
The Beagle Breeder
Those are good!
I live in rural Nevada. Zoned AG and Residential AG out here.
One neighbor has peacocks and they are noisy- especially if they see a strange person-dog- or coyote.
The homeowner across the street from the peacocks has complained over and over again to Animal Control, only to be told by everyone that peacocks are considered normal ranch/farmyard animals.
I have tried to molify the situation by telling the angry neighbor what good ‘guard birds’ peacocks are, but he was raised in the city and has never been exposed to them before in his life.
Great one to end on. Better to go out on top than in “the dog house”.
Yous the “top dog”.
. In the last few weeks, when they bark, I just yell at them to "SHUT UP", they do. Maybe the owners have heard me and now keep them inside more.
Our dog barks when others do, we have to tell him to shut up, the other people should make their dogs behave or get rid of them.
I am curious, what does the device do/say to make the dogs stop barking?
“have tried to molify the situation by telling the angry neighbor what good ‘guard birds’ peacocks are, but he was raised in the city and has never been exposed to them before in his life.”
lol That’s like the city folk that will move out here to the country and then gripe about the smell of cow poop!
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