Barking Dog Ordinance & Program On April 24, 2007, the City Council of the City of Villa Park adopted Ordinance No. 2007-524, an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Villa Park adopting by reference Ordinance No. 06-611, an Ordinance of the County of Orange, pertaining to animal control, welfare and license requirements. Ordinance No. 2007-524 added Article 7-10. Barking Dogs to the Villa Park Municipal Code. The “Barking Dog Ordinance” clearly defines what is deemed to be a barking dog: “A dog that barks, bays, cries, howls or makes any noise for an extended period of time…Such extended period of time shall consist of incessant barking for 30 minutes or more in any 24-hour period, or intermittent barking for 60 minutes or more during any 24-hour period.” It defines who is a responsible person: “A person who allows a barking dog violation to exist, whether through willful action, failure to act, or failure to exercise proper control over a barking dog…Owner of property upon which a barking dog violation occurs.” It gives Orange County Animal Care Services (OCACS) authority to issue citations for violations of the Ordinance: “Any Enforcement Officer has the authority to issue a civil citation to any Responsible Person for a barking dog violation.” And it establishes an administrative hearing process: “The violator and complainant shall be given the opportunity to testify (to a Hearing Officer) and to present evidence relevant to the barking dog citation.” This Ordinance is aimed at significantly improving the effectiveness of OCACS’ barking dog program. The program was crafted with a focus on expediency, fairness and resolution. When the first barking dog complaint is filed, an Animal Control Officer will make a personal visit with the dog owner to offer information about the “Barking Dog Ordinance,” education materials, and training tips and techniques to reduce the barking. From the day of the visit, the dog owner is given 10 days to remedy the barking violation. If after 10 days the barking violation continues, a second complaint may be filed. Upon second complaint, the complainant must sign a statement under the penalty of perjury that the dog barking is violating the County Ordinance. An Animal Control Officer will then visit the dog owner again to issue a citation for the barking dog violation. The dog owner may utilize an assigned administrative hearing to dispute the citation. The complainant must also attend the administrative hearing, or the citation will be dropped. At the hearing, the Administrative Hearing Officer will attempt to find a resolution and will educate both the dog owner and complainant on what is deemed a barking dog nuisance as defined under the Ordinance. If
you have a question about a barking dog, please call OCACS Operations
Desk at 714-935-6942. |
|---|
Terms and Conditions