The dogs on David Mancl’s block in West Allis bark at anything.
“It’s enough to wake you up in the morning,” Mancl, 66, said.
The small dog across the street from Mancl or “Lil yapper,” as he calls it, barks whether its owner is coming or going. Another nearby dog has barked since Mancl and his wife moved in four years ago. Fortunately, Mancl’s downstair neighbor’s dog is more of the silent type, Mancl said.
“What are, if any, the regulations around excessive dog barking?” Mancl asked Public Investigator.
Whether you’re in West Allis or Milwaukee, the cities can issue pet owners citations for loud animals. Here’s what you can do if dog barking is disturbing your peace.
How do I file a noise complaint?
To submit an animal noise complaint in Milwaukee, you can either email the Department of Neighborhood Services at barking@milwaukee.gov, or mail a signed letter to DNS Residential Division, 4001 S. 6th St., Milwaukee, WI 53221. The letter must include the animal’s address, a description of the issue, the complainant’s name, address and phone number.
West Allis, however, has a less formal process, said City Attorney Kail Decker. Residents can call the police department’s non-emergency line to report loud animals. An officer will respond to the call once higher priority calls are addressed, Decker said.
Does a complaint always lead to a citation?
No.
In Milwaukee, the city won’t issue a citation unless the complainant is willing to testify against the dog owner in court, according to the city’s website.
The Department of Neighborhood first step is to send a warning letter to the animal’s address. If the noise continues, the department requires the complainant to document the dates and times of the disturbance in a second letter. The city recommends complainants gather signatures from others in the household or community who are bothered by the noise to sign the letter, too.
West Allis doesn’t jump to issuing citations either, Decker said. The city could issue a fine or charge the services of officers if the city received three calls about animal noise within 60 days. Complainants might have to testify in court if officers didn’t observe the noise, Decker said.
“Usually, the police department works with the person to get them to figure out how to stop it happening in the future” Decker said.
How much is an animal noise citation?
In Milwaukee, a citation is $172, said Jeremy McGovern, spokesperson for the Department of Neighborhood Services.
A noise citation in West Allis can be anywhere between $50 to $500, Decker said.
Is there a way to resolve the issue without the city?
Talking directly with your neighbor is one tried and true route.
When Mancl lived in Greenfield, his neighbor’s dog barked for hours on end in the backyard, he said. Mancl gingerly brought up the topic to his neighbor, and the neighbor wasn’t aware that their dog barked when they weren’t home. The neighbor promptly resolved the issue with a shock collar, Mancl said.
“It’s a good idea to talk to the people first, you know, instead of complaining first,” Mancl said.
Decker agreed. Although loud animals can be frustrating, calling the city to resolve the matter can drain resources, Decker said.
But if a conversation with your neighbor didn’t resolve the issue, West Allis residents have another option. The West Allis Mediation Center can help you reach a mutually agreeable solution for free. The center guides parties through community issues like noise but also conflicts with roommates and landlords. To use the service, call 262-825-3037.
Mancl doesn’t plan to complain to the city about the barking as of yet. The barking is typically during the daylight hours, he said.
“Thank you for letting me know what options are available if it really starts to bug us,” Mancl said.
Gina Castro is a Public Investigator reporter. She can be reached at gcastro@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Can my neighbor hear my dog barking? And what can you do about a loud neighborhood pet
Reporting by Gina Lee Castro, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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