Bark-Off
A woman in Phoenix, AZ. has been fined $940 and sentenced to three years probation for her barking dogs.
Reness Maurer’s neighbors had filed a petition earlier in the year to have her prosecuted for allowing her dogs to bark non-stop over three years.
Municipal Court Judge Cynthia Certa told Maurer that she is not required to report to a probation officer, and the $940 will be reduced to $296 if the terms of her probation are completed successfully after the three years.
Other conditions of the probation included keeping Corky and Koo-Boosh, Maurer’s two dogs, inside when she leaves, and putting bark collars on the dogs if they are outside for longer than 15 minutes.
Maurer said she was disappointed about the sentencing and about her neighbors.
“I feel ostracized in my own community,” said Maurer, adding that neighborhood relations will now be “extremely awkward and uncomfortable.”
I realize how annoying incessant barking can be, it’s happened before in our neighborhood. After a while it can start to drive you a bit nutty. Maurer has two small dogs that are obviously not outside dogs, she should not be leaving them there for hours on end. As a pet owner she needs to take responsibility for her dogs and deal with the problem.
However, the real reason I posted this wasn’t because of the barking issue but because of the penalty. The maximum sentence for violating the city’s barking-dog ordinance is six months in jail, a $2,500 fine and a misdemeanor charge.
Over the last few months I have posted numerous stories on animal abusers and time after time they get a slap on the wrist. If you do something that affects a person, like disturbing the peace, the penalty is actually harsher than for animal cruelty in some states. It sends a clear message that it’s alright to kill or torture an animal because it still isn’t taken seriously in our justice system.
It’s a sad statement on society when a barking dog disturbing a person takes precedence over someone killing a dog. There’s something wrong with this picture. Why is the penalty so harsh? It is a law meant to protect people, their right to peace, not animals. It just goes to show, once again, laws need to change if we are ever to see justice for animals.
* Windswept’s Diamond Royale CGC
I completely agree with the last section of your story. It is ridiculous how animal abusers get off so easily with just a slap on the wrist. I have been saying for years there needs to be stronger penalties for people who abuse, neglect and kill animals. The reason it continues is because the penalty is not harsh enough.
I’m definitely in agreement about the lax penalties for animal abuse. The fact that Michael Vick is out already is a prime example on how inappropriate the laws and punishments are.
An amend to that. It is sad when a law like this is harsher than a law to protect abused animals or even murdered animals. There need to be federal laws to protect animals and if an injustice is committed against them, the one committing it should pay the price in a huge way.
It is disappointing that the worse problem is the lesser issue legally. I would like to remind everyone that here where we live there is no dog law. Well, there is a law that allows our neighbors dogs to bark for many years and hours on end with no care towards others sleep habits. There is a law that keeps me from going to their house and taking care of them so they will shut up (after all that is all they want), trespassing. There is a law that allows me the farmer to shoot a dog that is terrorizing my animals but not one that cares about my sanity or the fact that for the first time in 6 years we can sleep with the windows open. I think it is great that somewhere out there life is important in the laws eyes, I just wish the eyes were open enough to see that it is ALL life that is worth something. Don’t be disappointed, at least something is being done for these dogs that wasn’t being done for them before, someone is being forced to care for them.
My dogs bark like crazy! When you have hounds dogs like weimaraners,2 chihuahuas and a chihuahua mix,a border collie/lab mix and all kinds of other dogs you are gonna have barking at your house!
I also have a jack russell/beagle mix and a silky terrier! But they never bark! I have only heard about 5-10 barks out of delilah my jrt/beagle mix in the last 4 years I have had her.Specky never barked at first, now he barks like no one is here to watch him bark! He has a very loud bark.
Bella and bleu’ my 2 weimaraners they bark like crazy 24/7 nonstop.
When you have 2 purebred chihuahuas there is no stopping them from barking!
Almost all my dogs are barkers!
Think of it this way ALL dogs bark except the basenji, but all dogs are going to bark so what I say is just get over it!
We’re in a very strict gated community is south FL. There are zero lot lines, lots sizes are 1/4-acre & smaller. Houses are very close together. We have one of the bigger lots with a fence but also 3 big dogs. We’ve got written up once for dog barkiing.
Our dogs are outside about 6 X’s/daily. Both 6:30 AM & 11 PM quick 1 minute whizzes. The remaining 4 times about 20 mins. each. One of our dogs is a real barker – The Golden. I like putting them out in the yard when the lawn guys are out in the community making a lot of noise. Also each day a few other neighborhood big barkers are out around same time so they can all be loud together.
Treat-filled Kongs, playing catch, & swimming in the toddler pool with the golden works at keeping him quieter. Also long walks with the toddler in stroller when hubbie gets home helps tire them out. One is also in doggie day care sometimes for some extra exercise. No more written notices for us….
A response to Leah, regarding her “just get over it” comment. Obviously this is a prime example of an under-educated dog owner. Dogs bark because they are bored, anxious, or territorial…but primarily because of boredom. A dog who is exercised regularly, has minimum training sessions daily, and organized playtime as a matter of routine will be too tired to bark unless it is a real emergency. Dogs who bark think they are in charge. So if your dogs are constant barkers, it’s because they don’t see you as the leader. Take responsibility for your pack! Yes, dogs bark. But no dog has to bark constantly and to allow your barking dogs to continually annoy your neighbors shows a lack of responsibility and lack of leadership, plain and simple. My dogs are a mixed lot and some are what you might call natural born barkers, but they don’t bark unnecessarily because they get plenty of exercise and routines. If you can’t manage your pack, you are doing an injustice to your dogs and to responsible dog owners everywhere.
Oh, Leah, SOOO glad I don’t live next door to you! You would get the same treatment some new renters got from me two years ago after they moved in to a VERY QUIET neighborhood and decided that their five dogs needed to ’spice things up a bit’ so they left them outdoors in 95 degrees plus weather 24/7. It took time, but I petitioned the city council to update the existing noise nuisance laws specifically relating to barking dogs. Made national and international news…but, we were patient and got the desired result. They ended up moving out three months before their lease was up. They were told that the next time the police came out on a noise nuisance call they would be fined. Money barks LOUDER than dogs and their irresponsible owners.
Thank you to the rest of posters who appear to be responsible owners and would be very welcome in our dog-oriented town. It’s real simple, take responsibility for your dog and the noise it can create.
The laws regarding animal cruelty are totally screwed up. It’s up to us, as animal lovers, to do our utmost to increase the penalties for those sub-human lifeforms who abuse/neglect ANY animal. Laws don’t get changed until WE ask for them to be…just like I did with the noise ordinance in my town. Government-types tend to keep things status quo because they are not allowed, for the most part, to bring up changes unless prompted by their constituents. (Locally speaking). If you want stricter laws for abuse of animals then do your homework and petition locally for support.
I agree, it’s sad that the penalty is worse for a barking dog than for someone who tortures and kills a dog. As far as barking dogs, yes that would be annoying. This woman should not leave her little house dogs outside if they are inside dogs. My own dogs bark to be let back in the house, they prefer their cozy beds and air conditioning.
All of our paws up to Therese!! Great post!
A heightened exercise program is what’s needed, and most definitely a routine out of their yard. These poor pups are bored out of their minds. Yards can become a very isolated and boring place – even prisons have yards.
I agree with Teresa. It is annoying to have to hear someones dogs barking incessantly. If the proper amount of attention is given to the dogs, there should not be a problem! And as per Jeanne, Amen! I don’t want you as my neighbor either!
As for the main issue, it is a real travesty that people can not see the big picture. ALL living creatures deserve respect, and to be treated kindly. That should be common sense. When you mistreat, torture, abuse, or murder an ones who are weaker than you, you should be punished! And it should be more severe than barking dogs, no matter how annoying! Very very sad,