Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
What can a person do about a neighbor that has a dog that frequently barks and howls? This is very annoying especially when I am in my own yard.
Larry Jacquez, Clovis animal control supervisor, said there’s a city ordinance (#6.08.070) for barking dogs that reads:
“It is unlawful for any person to keep, harbor or own any dog which (engages in) loud, frequent or habitual barking causing annoyance to the neighborhood.”
“Give us a call. That way, if anyone has any questions about it we go right to our city ordinance,” Jacquez said.
Jacquez outlined the procedure for investigating the complaint.
“If we get a complaint about a barking dog we go to the neighborhood, stop a few houses down and listen for barking. If there is barking then complaint is validated,” Jacquez said.
Jacquez added if animal control officers don’t hear barking, they go to the house anyway and speak with the owner about the complaint.
“We work with the dog owner and try to help figure out what’s causing the barking so it will stop. We also hand out a pamphlet on the subject,” Jacquez said.
Jacquez noted further action could result in a citation.
“Any of our citations go to municipal court and the judge decides on fines,” Jacquez said.
Portales Animal Control has a slightly different methodology in dealing with nuisance barking.
Kelly McClellan, Portales animal control supervisor, responded to The News by email, writing:
“There are two sections in the Portales ordinances that deal with dogs frequently barking. If someone would like to report a nuisance animal or an animal disturbing the peace, they can file their complaint with the Portales Animal Control.”
McClellan added if animal control can prove the animal unreasonably disturbs the peace, “then the owner shall be given the option of either removing the offending dog(s) from the city or (be) subject to criminal citation.”
McClellan added animal control officers will commonly speak to surrounding neighbors to see if they will substantiate the claim of unreasonable barking/howling and increase patrols in the area to see if they can witness the behavior first-hand.
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