Clifton, NJ Outlaws Noisy Dogs
Thanks to Cara, Zeus and Darwin’s furmom, for barking in this news from MyFoxStl.com.
N.J. Town to Set Time Limit on Barking
CLIFTON, N.J. — The city of Clifton is not going to the dogs. At least not if the City Council has anything to do about it. Later this month, the council is expected to introduce an ordinance setting a limit on how long dogs can bark.
Noisy canines will be defined as those that bark for more than 30 minutes on two consecutive days.
The city already has nuisance and “noise laws that can be used to address annoying and disturbing noises such as constant barking.” But officials said those laws are sometimes difficult to enforce.Police have to investigate complaints, and the city Health Department sent 11 letters last year warning that a summons could be issued if the barking continued, health officer John Biegel said. Clifton has issued 3,756 dog licenses this year.
Follow this link to read the rest of the article.
As a Clifton resident, I find the coucil to be totally stupid! If it weren’t for my neighbors’ dog my house would have been robbed! Complaining about the dog barking is nothing compared to the constant roaring of the engines we get in town from teens souping up their cars. THAT is more annoying than a dog barking.
I think it is about time for this kind of law. I also feel that the City Council should look into the idiot’s who drive around with these stupid mufflers making all kind of noise. WHAT ABOUT THAT CITY COUNCIL??? Stop playing games and get something done and stop wasting the city tax payers money. Remember if you don’t start making something happen and start doing something substancial you will not be elected again I THINK WE PROVED THAT ON THE LAST ELECTION, IF YOU CAN NOT GET THINGS DONE YOU MUST GO.
Does that mean 30 minutes of consecutive bark or is it broken up into 10 minutes here 15minutes there. What about neighbors who have a vandetta against another neighbor and will pick on anything to get a person in trouble. Are witnesses required? Recordings? What proof that the dog is indeed barking and this is not just an empty complaint by an intolerent neighbor. Yes, I have one. Help.
Doreen,
You raise some great questions. I don’t have any answers but I suspect that the first good lawyer who gets called into this situation will find some for you.
I live in a city as well and have dogs. I agree with you, Resident, that noise is an issue, but as many dog owners have known and a recent British research study demonstrated, dogs are the BEST deterrants to home invasion.
The people who want to legislate dog barking should ask WHY those dogs are barking. Are they being left out in backyards or tied up? That will make dogs bark. Or are the dogs barking because there are people near their territory. news flash — that’s what dogs are supposed to do.
My dogs have the ability to come in and out of our house at all times. They don’t bark UNLESS there is a reason to bark, like stray high school kids wandering down the alley looking for trouble.
So let’s get back to WHY are those Clifton dogs barking? FInd the answers and you find the solution to that aspect of the noise problem.
I am the perfect example as to why this law should be stated. My neighbor cannot control his dog and the family always tells it to “Shutup”. This dog is always barking at the slightest thing that moves. Try sleeping peacefully until 6:45am when this dog enters your dream and you have an interview in the later morning hours. Try having a headache from the constant barking that wouldn’t stop until you physically remove yourself from your bed and make your way to the opposite end of your house. Then after your interview you come home to take a nap but cannot because it barks at cars, people and water sprinklers. This has to be an inhumane living for the dog and it is certainly not healthy for my sleep deprived body.
I love dogs, but this is just ridiculous. It is like getting your driver’s license; it is your responsibility or else you just shouldn’t have one.
hi,about those car mufflers, it’s because of the ghetto types that are moving into and destroying clifton. clifton is now turing into another passaic and paterson,how disgusting. just what clifton needs: more overcrowded streets,schools,grafitti,gangs(the bloods are ____!),drugs,third world culture and filth………………..
we moved to cairo egypt 3 months ago and have not had one good nights sleep since.we got here.. 5 stray dogs have strret fights every night. They start at 11pm until 6am
I complaine to any one who will listen but the police and council do nothing about it .I am feeling like a zombie i cannot think straight and am constantly tired. WE are locked in by the rent contract to stay here 6 months.Someone please please help me .