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Woof Woof
updated: Jun 23, 2012, 7:59 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

I live in Mesa and hear dogs barking at all hours. I can't exactly tell where they are coming from, so it's hard to report it to animal control. Does anyone have any other recommendations besides combing the streets for the addresses of these nuisance dogs?

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 290816	2012-06-23 08:29 PM
I heard coyotes from Mesa Lane a couple nights ago way past midnight. Sounded far away and wonder if that is what you heard, too.
COMMENT 290818	2012-06-23 08:36 PM
move
COMMENT 290820	2012-06-23 08:52 PM
earplugs?
COMMENT 290821	2012-06-23 08:57 PM
I can definitely confirm that Mesa dog owners aren't the best bunch as far as barking goes. My message is this: if you are a dog owner and live on Mesa and leave your dog(s) outside, based on the number of dogs I hear for hours everyday, your dog *IS* barking while you are away. I live off of Fellowship, and the owners of dogs at 444 Fellowship and 480 Fellowship must not realize that their dogs bark regularly and it is very annoying...maybe if people see their addresses here, they'll do something about their dogs? In fact, the two dogs at 444 have been barking for the past 3 hours almost none-stop. Based on past experience, they won't stop until around midnight or 1 in the morning. I'm fed up - I'm calling animal control on Monday.
SB1976	2012-06-23 09:23 PM
821 - You should complain, but perhaps start with talking with the owners of the dogs and also your other neighbors - they may have information about why there is a problem. And there is a problem - not with the dogs, but with their owners. I am a long time dog owner - and my dogs bark as all dogs do when there is a disturbance or an intrusion. But constant barking until late at night is a sign of neglect or some other form of mistreatment - it is not normal dog behavior, at least for the vast majority of dogs. Keep that in mind as you try to correct the problem
COMMENT 290823P	2012-06-23 09:53 PM
Please do try contacting the owners first. Let them know when the dogs bark as they may not know. Our dog was fine when she was younger, but as she has gotten older, she does not like it when we leave, and she barks. We would have no idea if the neighbors didn't tell us. She doesn't bark when we're home (except at skunks.) I live close to Mesa Lane and heard the coyotes a couple nights ago too. It is different than the domestic dogs, but got some of the domestic dogs to bark with them. Now for noisy people....that's our neighbor problem...
COMMENT 290834	2012-06-24 06:30 AM
Call Animal Control and report the dog owners. Imagine going to the neighbors and telling them their little brat is misbehaving--they're more likely to assault you than deal with the problem. Dog people are a hundred thousand times worse, because many of them have psychological issues they're attempting to address by owning dogs.
COMMENT 290836	2012-06-24 06:39 AM
Barking dogs can make bitter enemies of neighbors. Talk to them first. There used to be some sort of Mesa neighborhood group that held sway with certain council members. I think they only cared about big houses but give Allied Neighborhood Association and Mesa Homeowners Association a jingle. What really works is: Call the police and get at least two like-minded neighbors to call also otherwise action will be inconsequential. Repeat offenders get referred to the DA. FIne$$$, and possible confiscation of animal(s). And check with the assessors office on your property assessment. May be an opportunity to get it lowered.
COMMENT 290842	2012-06-24 06:59 AM
Also check to see how many dogs the owner has - more than 3 is against the law in the county. I think you can call animal control and they can tell you how many dogs are registered at the address. If they are unlicensed then there are some hefty fines. 836 is also right. 818 & 820 - you are likely guilty of having barking mutts.
COMMENT 290844	2012-06-24 07:00 AM
Dogs bark for a reason. Rarely just for the heck of it. Our neighbour's dog barked incessantly - more like a panicky shrieking hysteria - when his owner left the house. Later we found out he was shut in a small cage because the wife - an invalid - was scared of tripping over the poor thing. They left and now the son has the dog. He rarely barks and appears to enjoy a normal dog life with regular walks and exercise.
COMMENT 290852P	2012-06-24 07:41 AM
Call animal control ASAP. Irresponsible dog owners are usually very aware their dogs are the offenders, but can't give a rat's a**. Sadly, these folks are in a very small, but annoying minority and it usually takes an official contact to get the point driven home. Make the call & by all means keep us informed what happens with the problem.
COMMENT 290868	2012-06-24 08:24 AM
290834, the problem lies elsewhere. Have a mirror?
COMMENT 290871P	2012-06-24 08:29 AM
Last summer, what was suggested to keep robbers from your home? Barking dogs. My little dogs are sensor sounds (as opposed to sensor lights). When someone goes past the yard, they bark for about 30 seconds and it's over. For dogs that chronically bark, talk to the owner nicely ("neighborly") so they are aware of the problem. Give them a chance to correct the situation. If you are certain they aren't trying to help their dogs (understanding it may take some time) THEN call the authorities. I think it's really tacky to post addresses. to 834- projection....
COMMENT 290875	2012-06-24 08:36 AM
i live on upper fellowship and i often walk my well behaved, harnessed dog around the neighborhood. not only do some of the neighborhood dogs bark incessantly but often times they're left to roam the streets. there is a black and white dog who lives in a dingy, dark colored ford ranger in the 800 block of fellowship. the truck is normally parked in front of the second house above sage hill. the dog has attacked us numerous times while walking the neighborhood, you can look at the owner's fence on google maps street view and see the charming corrugated roof panels they put in place where the dog repeatedly chewed through the fence. most of the time it's either locked in that truck in front of the house or roaming the neighborhood streets trying to bite me. 821, i've noticed the two giant dogs that are behind the white gate with the warning sign on the 400 block bark a lot when i walk by but i actually never noticed the dogs at the two addresses you mentioned.
COMMENT 290883	2012-06-24 08:46 AM
Go to whitepages on the computer and use the address locater and if you click view more neighbors, you get the birds eye view. Then you can get the names, too!
COMMENT 290884	2012-06-24 08:48 AM
Why is it that there is no coverage by Animal Patrol during the time most of us are annoyed by irresponsible owners and their pets. I am talking about evenings and weekends... We are paying the bills here, why not run split shifts to cover the hours that are most important to the citizenry?
COMMENT 290887	2012-06-24 09:03 AM
Establish a rapport with your neighbour. Go talk to them and ask them if they are aware of their dog's behaviour. If they are and don't give a darn about it you have just cause to invite the local government to intervene. But if they are indeed civically minded you may actually help foster a tighter sense of community in your neck of the woods.
COMMENT 290889	2012-06-24 09:16 AM
Definately talk to the owners but start in a freindly way and make the assumption that they are not aware of the problem. They may not realize how much the dogs are barking. Suggest that they buy an anti-bark collar. When the dog barks, it emits a small shot of liquid that dogs don't like.
COMMENT 290893	2012-06-24 09:24 AM
834, WTF?
COMMENT 290898	2012-06-24 09:37 AM
Write a nice letter about the dogs barking and put it in their mailbox. Keep a copy for your records to show that you have advised of the problem. If nothing changes in a week, call the non emergency police number and talk to them, start a record of complaints. I have a little dog that barks so during the day we don't let him outside while we are at work. Fortunately he goes to the bathroom in our bathroom if locked in so it is easy to clean up. If we let him out while we aren't here is anxious and barks at every little sound, it drives the neighbors crazy. I would rather clean up his toilet than have my neighbors hate me because my dog barks. Also, we got a citronella bark collar for times where he may be extra barky, like if we have a yard sale, it works GREAT with no pain.
COMMENT 290901	2012-06-24 09:43 AM
I have tried to talk to dog owners, in a very nice manner about their barking dogs. In all instances, nothing changed...and I had to then go to the property managers. The result, I was vibed by the dog owner for the remaining time I was at that location. It was uncomfortable, and none of the neighborly kindness was shown to me inspite of my attempt to work with the owners. I would simply start a paper trail with animal control, the owners know the dogs are barking, if they dont, then let the authorities tell them. That way you can stay on friendly terms. There is something to be said for anonymity (right all of you listed as comment instead of names).
COMMENT 290902	2012-06-24 09:43 AM
821, I completely empathize with you. In most cases, when there's a problem, it's not that the owner just "doesn't know". It's that they don't care. The onus shouldn't be on others to figure out ways to solve the barking problem when it happens. The responsibility should be with dog owners to make there's no barking to begin with. If you leave your dog unattended, leave a note with your neighbors asking them to let you know if your dogs are making any noise, and give them your contact info. Let them know that you will definitely take care of any problems. If I had neighbors like this, I would have no problem contacting them because I know they care. Of course this doesn't happen because the owners don't care. Therefore, there needs to be much stronger enforcement. If owners let their dogs bark after being contacted by Animal Control, there should be immediate and hefty fines levied on them. Without consequences, this problem won't stop.
ANIMALLISTNER	2012-06-24 10:02 AM
834? Please explain? WTF?
COMMENT 290921P	2012-06-24 10:23 AM
I agree with Tracy314--I have had the same experience as you described (in 2 different situations) & unfortunately learned the hard way not to directly approach dog owners about barking problems. The number for Animal Control is 963-1513. Good luck!
COMMENT 290924	2012-06-24 10:35 AM
Many very good suggestions here. OK, once when *I* unknowingly was the offending party, not with a barking dog, but a rooster, my neighbor sent me a recoding which indicated the time of day the offending bird was crowing. I was perfectly within legal rights to have chickens in the area I lived in, but I had no idea that beyond the few early morning crows, this guy was crowing all day long while I was at work. After profusely apologizing to my neighbor we found "Big Red" a new home in a more isolated area. It's just possible your neighbors aren't aware of the annoyance their dogs are causing. If they are renters and don't respond to your complaints then maybe their landlord will, but give them a chance by contacting them first. If you do record the barking keep a copy for the Animal Control or Police to listen to and as evidence if you need it.
COMMENT 290925	2012-06-24 10:38 AM
Our dog barked non-stop while we were at work. We didn't know until our sweet elderly neighbor asked us if she was OK. I think she was genuinely worried about her. We talked to the vet and turned out she had separation anxiety. She was lonely. So we got her a friend from the animal shelter. Problem solved.
COMMENT 290971P	2012-06-24 01:17 PM
To those of you who say "all" dogs owners or "all" barking dogs... really? "ALL" and "always"? Wow.
DEE D	2012-06-24 03:22 PM
This discussion reminds me a lot of what I used to hear back in the 60's about neighborhood kids, running and playing, dashing across lawns, trampling plants, (accompanied, in those days, by half a dozen dogs) playing hide 'n seek, street ball, yelling and screaming, riding bikes on the sidewalks, etc. You don't see that anymore; kids stay inside and watch tv or play video games. All I can say is, don't generalize. Address specific incidents specifically, and with respect and a genuine desire to be reasonable and neighborly. We have always had dogs (and kids.) I don't think our current little pup is too noisy, and she certainly gets lots of walks and such. But dogs have to be dogs, just as kids have to be kids. Everyone be considerate and reasonable. I like the occasional sound of barking dogs, it makes a neighborhood feel alive.
COMMENT 291007	2012-06-24 04:34 PM
Dee D, I can't be sure, but you sound like a neighbor who wouldn't be receptive at all if you were told that your dog barked too much. I don't need excess noise like barking to make my neighborhood "sound alive". There are plenty of soothing sounds to do that - the gentle rustle of leaves blowing in the wind, the sound of a trickle of water or the rain, etc. Both kids and dogs need to be taught consideration for others, manners, and boundaries. Saying "dogs will be dogs" or "kids will be kids" is just an excuse for not caring about how your actions affect others.
COMMENT 291009	2012-06-24 04:46 PM
You can't solve this problem without having an address with which to link it. Sounds to me like you have many barking dogs, not just one or two. If you have a general complaint, "dogs barking at all hours," then there is no solution. If you know the location/source, then you find another neighbor to join in on your complaint. With City Animal Control TWO neighbors "constitutes a neighborhood." You must be ready to keep a log of the barking, days & times. Don't let up with calling Animal Control. Be the squeaky wheel. Don't give up. Do not approach the owners, unless you want a confrontation. Even politeness and diplomacy won't help you---in 90% of these cases. There is free mediation through the City, if it comes to that. I know whereof I write---I have been through it all. My dogs aren't allowed to bark beyond the initial "someone at the door" warning barks. They have companionship 24/7, lucky pups.
COMMENT 291033	2012-06-24 06:29 PM
875- You are not the only one with trouble with 'that' house. Many neighbors have complained about the dogs, profanity unleashed in anger at small children, and much noise in general at all hours. I once heard a dog fight and a woman on the sidewalk asking that the dog be called off, only to be met with a tirade of obscenities. About a week later, I heard another dog fight followed by a yelping dog and the resident screaming, "You pepper sprayed my dog!" Do not be afraid to walk in your own neighborhood; carry pepper spray.
COMMENT 291052	2012-06-24 07:49 PM
have white noise like a fan (with closed windows) and maybe add silicon earplugs.
MESARATS	2012-06-24 10:50 PM
RE821. To list your neighbors addresses without having the spine to talk to them is cowerdley. I noticed that you did not post your address. Possiblly they work at night and are not aware. Years back one of my dogs started barking when i was at work and had no idea until my neighbor mentioned it. I thanked her, gave her my number and used training and a bark collar to solve the problem. There are plenty of young and rowdy neighbors in my area and I always deal with them first and I have never had a issue with "confrontation". Most issues( granted not all) can be delt without over utilizing every pubic resource and just taking the first step. These are your neighbors, not Americas Most Wanted. If tattle, hide and call for help is the new way people are doing things in their private life and in the workforce, no wonder things are going to pot.
COMMENT 291077P	2012-06-25 12:31 AM
While I agree that approaching a neighbor can be risky or confrontational, it is still best to try this first. We have noisy people neighbors behind us (not kids or a dog, but adult humans), and we started by just saying, "hi". They gave us their phone number and email. While they haven't completely quieted down, at least we can try calling or emailing before calling the police (when their noise is especially disturbing, like at 3 am!) If you're afraid to contact them in person, leave a friendly note on their door, and let them know date and time when the noise was a problem, and why it was a problem (ie, kept my baby awake, or my ill husband). If you want them to act neighborly, then give it a shot by being neighborly to them first.
COMMENT 291141	2012-06-25 09:23 AM
I don't know where on the Mesa you are but we are near Shoreline Park and the dogs in our neighborhood are out of control. I went looking for the noise the other morning and couldn't find it. I'm glad it isn't only us - I can't believe the owners don't hear their dogs at 4:30 in the morning and here I thought we were the only ones being bothered by it!!!!!
COMMENT 291227	2012-06-25 01:02 PM
I don't think there's anything wrong with posting addresses. If that's what it takes to stop the problem, then so be it. In fact, I've often thought that there should be a website where people can report addresses for problem dogs so that those of us having to suffer through the barking can find each other, compare notes, and file joint complaints. Up until now, we've had to suffer and find ways to solve something that's definitely not our problem by finding ways to be "neighborly" and non-confrontationally confront our neighbors about barking. Well, that's ridiculous. The problem wouldn't be occurring in the first place if dog owners cared about how they affected other people. I mean, don't leave your dog outside unless you're 100% sure they don't bark. If you need to, pay for real training (ever see It's Me or the Dog on Animal Planet?) or hire a pet sitter.
COMMENT 291311P	2012-06-25 07:29 PM
227--you are not alone, we feel as you do & just wish there was a local group that folks like us (who like dogs but hate excessive barking) could get involved with.
COMMENT 291557	2012-06-26 01:17 PM
842 is right , dogs need to be licensed as to insure that rabies vacinnes are up to date.
COMMENT 291573	2012-06-26 01:58 PM
How about being reasonable? I would suggest to the poster leaving a note if there is a particular house where the noise is originating. That way you are not confronting the homeowner, but eliminating the chance that they are unaware of the situation. Also remember that there are some neglectful pet owners for sure, but in good homes dogs do mature and adapt, critters decide to stop by, etc. and it may turn out to be a temporary issue. Bark collars and doggie play dates can sometimes help the situation. On the flip side, a big water fountain, earplugs, or music can help drown out routine noise to senstive ears. Starting right off the bat with animal control or complaining about general dog noise is a waste of resources. It's also only a nusiance if it is excessive barking, so some barking, leaf blowers, kids yelling, garbage trucks, etc. is something everyone needs to deal with in a city setting. No one is legally entitled to complete quiet.
COMMENT 291606	2012-06-26 03:22 PM
When your dog barks, do you immediately think about whether it's bothering your neighbors and go over and train/stop it from barking? Or do you just let it keep barking thinking it will eventually stop, without the thought of your neighbors ever crossing your mind? Even more likely, you probably don't even hear it bark because you're so used to it, or you're not home. In my experience, most dog owners are not of the 1st mindset. I'm sure good dog owners do exist, but not near me. This is why "friendly notes" don't work. All of you saying don't call the authorities either live in some utopian 2nd dimension or are dog owners who don't want to control their dogs. If you have put in the effort beforehand and trained your dog not to bark, then you don't have to worry about someone calling the authorities on you. It's only people with untrained dogs that worry. It's also completely unreasonable to suggest that someone needs to drown out barking with other noise or earplugs.

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