Knightdale considers fines for dogs' excessive barking

Due to the protests of pet owners, the Knightdale town council delayed voting on an ordinance to fine owners of dogs that bark excessively.

“I’m not sure what to do, but I’m pretty sure what we have ain’t it,” said Knightdale Mayor Russell Killen after hearing from a room full of dog owners protesting the ordinance.

The council will meet before its Aug. 3 meeting to revise the proposed law.

As introduced Monday, the ordinance calls for a $50 penalty for owners of dogs who “bark, bay, cry, howl or make any other noise intermittently” for a half an hour.

The ordinance also cites owners who don’t keep dogs in a sanitary condition. But pet owners who spoke before council didn’t think the ordinance went far enough to assure a dog’s humane treatment.

“There’s sometimes a reason a dog barks,” said Reba Pendleton who lives in downtown Knightdale.

Pendleton said a barking dog could be in distress or merely playing.

She suggested putting a time limit on when a dog barking was considered disturbing — before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

“I’m trying to be a responsible pet owner,” she said.

Paula Gavasto, of 418 Mingocrest Drive, said the ordinance needed to prohibit people from keeping an animal on a chain or in an unsuitable shelter.

Other pet owners said they didn’t see why barking dogs should be singled out over other types of noise addressed in the town’s noise ordinance.

But Douglas Fishman said an ordinance was needed.

He said his neighbor’s dog’s constant barking kept him from sleep.

“Basically, it’s gotten to the point that we’re not neighborly,” he said.

Killen said the town’s public safety committee recommended the regulation after residents complained that barking dogs were a nuisance.

Knightdale town Attorney Clyde Holt said the proposed ordinance levies civil penalties, but that offenders could be cited criminally if fines were ignored.