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Noisy pets raise neighbors� howls, can prompt fines Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Virginia Baker of Medford says there needs to be some changes in the law after she received $400 in citations for her dog, Jasmine, because her neighbor complained of barking. But the city ordinance is clear: barking dogs that "disturb the comfort and repose of any person in the vicinity" are considered a violation. Try to solve trouble without the police, authorities suggest By Joanna Collins Opening windows in the summer brings more than a refreshing breeze. It brings annoying noises. Of course, a noise "violation" is often in the ear of the beholder. And police urge neighbors to talk to one another before calling the cops. But here are how local jurisdictions determine if animal noises violate local noise laws: Jackson County: Rural areas fall under state law, which says a dog is a public nuisance if it disturbs any person by frequent or prolonged noises. Central Point: A dog is a nuisance if it howls or barks in a manner that causes annoyance to persons within the vicinity. City law also prohibits the keeping of any animal that is disturbing by frequent or loud continued noise. Medford: Barking dogs or other noisy animals that disturb the comfort and repose of any person in the vicinity are a violation of the noise ordinance. Phoenix: A dog is a nuisance if it howls or barks in such a manner as to deprive a person unreasonably of peace and quiet. Talent: The keeping of any animal or fowl, which by frequent or loud continued noise shall disturb the comfort and repose of any person in the vicinity is considered unnecessary noise. Ashland: It�s unlawful to keep any dog whose long, continued barking disturbs anyone within the city. It�s also illegal to keep any bird or animal that frequently disturbs the comfort of a person in the vicinity with long continued noise. Besides the rumbling of trucks or laughter of out-of-school children, there are the howls of barking dogs. And in some parts of Jackson County, the irritants include crowing roosters and screeching peacocks. "I�ve had roosters, I�ve had geese, I�ve had sheep,�� said Ron Barnett, code enforcement officer in Central Point. "I get pretty weird stuff once in a while. You wouldn�t believe what some people try to keep." Virginia Baker of Medford knows all about how noises can stir up trouble. The barking of Baker�s dog Jasmine has gotten her cited for violating Medford�s noise ordinance five times, costing her a total of $400 in fines. "Dogs are dogs," says Baker. "Dogs were made to bark." Under the Medford city noise ordinance, "barking dogs or other noisy animals which disturb the comfort and repose of any person in the vicinity" are considered a violation. Baker says that language is too loose and the city needs to limit what can be considered "disturbing." "She�s not barking for 10, 15, 20 minutes straight," Baker says of Jasmine. "She�s just barking till the cat�s out of sight." A good solution, she says, would be for the city to make its noise ordinance more specific. Ordinances in cities like Ashland, Central Point and Talent � and even the state law that covers the rural areas of Jackson County � do address noise problems more specifically. They state that noises must be prolonged, continued or frequent in order to be a considered a violation. Phoenix�s ordinance, like Medford�s, addresses noise that causes an annoyance. Fines for violations of local noise ordinances can run to $250. So what should one do if they�re discomforted by a howling dog or shrieking parrot? Don�t call the police, most authorities advise. At least not initially. Oftentimes, owners don�t even realize their dogs bark when they�re away from home, says Cpt. Lisa Brooks of the Ashland Police Department. "Go talk to your neighbor and let them know there is a problem and problem-solve," says Brooks. "It�s better to try to handle it one-on-one with your neighbor before bringing in the police. Bringing in the police can make people defensive right away." If that doesn�t get the dog quieted, then appropriate actions can be taken by calling local police departments. It helps to be specific about the location of the offending animal. If you live in a city, don�t bother calling Jackson County Animal Control; that office handles barking dogs only in rural parts of the county. Animal Control is open Monday through Friday. In the off hours, the job falls to the Sheriff�s Department. "We work under state law which says that dogs can�t disturb their neighbors or areas by frequent and prolonged noises," says Animal Control Manager Colleen Macuk. Callers need patience. It�s difficult for officers to always respond to complaints, Macuk says, but that doesn�t mean the department doesn�t care. 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