- If possible and you feel comfortable, speak to the dog owner about the noise before contacting us. Often people are unaware that there is a problem and appreciate knowing there may be an issue.
- If other neighbors share your concerns, try talking to the dog owner as a group, or sending a letter outlining the neighborhood’s concerns.
- Keep a written log, documenting the times and duration of the barking. This will help your case should you consider civil action against the dog owner. See a sample log here.
HITCHCOCK ROAD
Animal Services
Serving Monterey County and the City of Salinas
Barking Dogs
Complaints about noise are often one of the most difficult, and each case is handled a little differently depending upon the situation. Our department will assist as we can, however, we are not able to remove a dog just for barking. It may take several complaints and/or interactions with your neighbor to see a difference; persistence and patience will be the key to finding a good resolution.
- You can report a barking dog online.
- You can also contact the Mandell Gisnet Center for Conflict Management for private conflict resolution services.
Their NEIGHBOR Project offers highly affordable mediation as a way to solve problems with the help of trained, neutral mediators who make sure that everyone is heard and helps parties come up with mutually satisfactory solutions. Contact them at (831) 582- 5234 or email neighborproject@mandellgisnetcenter.org for more information.
While dog barking is normal, allowing your dog to bark excessively is considered a nuisance under Monterey County Title 8 and City of Salinas Chapter 7 codes and could result in a Violation Notice, a Citation, or abatement. Please help your dog be a good neighbor and better companion by reducing excessive barking.
Tips for Reducing Dog Barking:
- Article: "How to stop dog barking" - AKC
- Article: "How to get your dog to stop barking" - Humane Society of the United States
- Article: "Barking" - ASPCA
- Article: "The Barking Dog" - Denver Dumb Friends League
Local Ordinances:
- Monterey County Code related to noise/animal noise: Chapter 8.36 - NUISANCE AND NUISANCE ANIMALS
- City of Salinas Code related to noise/animal noise: Chapter 5, Article XII. - Disturbing the Peace; Noise.