Barking dog got you down? A complaint might not help

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Mar 13, 2003 by BILL VOGRIN

If Ainsley Gottrich has heard it once, she's heard it 1,000 times.

Barking dog complaints, that is.

Actually, Gottrich and the rest of the folks at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region heard it 1,800 times in 2002.

The Humane Society received nearly five barking dog complaints every day. They come from every neighborhood and involve just about every breed of dog. And they're pretty easy to explain.

"Most animals bark because they are bored and seeking attention," Gottrich said. "Some are just howlers. Some breeds are more apt to bark than others." Whatever the reason, the Humane Society takes each complaint seriously.

"We take a complaint, and a warning is issued," Gottrich said. "We put the dog owner on notice that there is a problem."

But it's not as simple as complaining and the barking stops.

It can be frustrating to bring a dog to justice. Complaints must be made over and over to keep the Humane Society involved. Witnesses must support the chronic barking complaint for it to go to court.

"Not someone at the same address," Gottrich said. "We need another neighbor to confirm it's a problem. Then, absolutely, it can go to court. And it often does."

Gottrich offers advice to prove a case: get it on tape.

"We recommend you videotape the animal and log the time the barking starts and ends," she said. "A videotape record gets away from the 'he said, she said' arguments."

Even then, a judge usually is reluctant to turn a barking dog into a pound puppy.

"Usually a judge will give the pet owners a certain amount of time to correct it," Gottrich said. "Anywhere from 30 days to three months."

How do you "fix" a barking dog?

"Get more interesting toys in the back yard," she said. "Get a dog walker to come by at noon. Maybe switch your work schedule so your dog is not alone 10 to 12 hours a day."

Some suggest taking your pet to one of the doggy daycare centers in the Springs.

In extreme cases, experts recommend moving a dog to a new home, or getting a second dog to distract a lonely dog and provide companionship.

Although justice might be slow, there are serious penalties for dog owners who don't silence their pet.

Penalties can range from a fine to removal of the dog and a court order banning you from owning another pet.

The Humane Society does not suggest removing a dog's vocal cords - commonly called "debarking" surgery.

"When you do that, you remove the dog's ability to communicate, and that creates even more frustration," Gottrich said. "That may result in digging or self-mutilation. You can get a very frustrated animal."

Tell us about your neighborhood: 636-0193 or bvogrin@gazette.com

TO FILE A COMPLAINT

To lodge a complaint about a barking dog, call the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region at 473-1741 and ask for Ext. 0.