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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW (No heading) ... Our View: Medford Center owners invest in city's future ... Jackson County groups hope to establish a homeless campsite ... (No heading) ... Our View: Medford Center owners invest in city's future ... Jackson County groups hope to establish a homeless campsite ... COURTS Jury awards damages to Rogue River couple that lived next to noisy dogs Rogue River neighbors sought $500,000, but jury award isn't known yet Comment By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 3, 2015 at 5:02 PM Updated Apr 3, 2015 at 7:07 PM By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 3, 2015 at 5:02 PM Updated Apr 3, 2015 at 7:07 PM » Social News A Jackson County jury Thursday ruled in favor of a couple seeking half a million dollars in damages for the noisy barking of their neighbors' dogs.  According to a complaint filed in Jackson County Circuit Court by Dale and Debra Krein of Rogue River, their neighbors' Tibetan mastiffs have kept them awake for years.  Karen Szewc and John Updegraff purchased their first dogs in 1999 and began breeding them around 2002 at their home, 14314 E. Evans Creek Road, the complaint says. Jackson County Animal Control officers in 2002 and 2004 cited the couple for violating public nuisance codes. The Kreins said the couple did nothing to quiet their dogs despite numerous appeals from neighbors. The lawsuit sought $500,000 in damages. An official judgment and the actual damages awarded hadn't been entered in court records as of Friday afternoon, so the amount awarded by the jury isn't yet known. The Kreins moved into their house at 14316 E. Evans Creek Road in 1988, the complaint says, while Szewc and Updegraff moved into their residence in 1997. The two homes are just over 300 feet apart. "On a regular occasion, the dogs will begin barking as early as 5 a.m. and continuously bark throughout the day, only stopping for short times," the complaint said.  When Szewc and Updegraff filed for bankruptcy in 2014, the plaintiffs filed a complaint in federal bankruptcy court to prevent them from discharging debts incurred by the lawsuit. "The debtors intentional and malicious conduct has caused harm to Plaintiffs, in that their property has been rendered unsalable, they have suffered emotional pain and suffering, the inability to use their property to entertain family and friends and the loss of the use of their property," the complaint said. In multiple court affidavits, both Szewc and Updegraff downplayed the noise the dogs cause. Updegraff said he had personally gone to the Kreins' home and found the noise from his dogs negligible. He argued the dogs, which can weigh well over 100 pounds, are necessary to protect his livestock from bears and cougars. Szewc accused the Kreins of intentionally provoking their dogs and causing them to bark. The Kreins originally filed the suit in February 2012 with two other neighbors who were later dismissed as plaintiffs. Reach reporter Thomas Moriarty at 541-776-4471 or by email at [email protected]. Follow him at @ThomasDMoriarty. By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Thomas Moriarty Mail Tribune Posted Apr. 3, 2015 at 5:02 PM Updated Apr 3, 2015 at 7:07 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501