NJ Town To Fine Dog Owners If Pets Bark

WCBSTV
Mar. 23, 2010

Muzzle it.

That's the word in one local town as officials try to put dog owners on a financial leash if they can't keep their pets quiet -- no matter what time of day or night.

Now, CBS 2 HD encountered one dog on Monday that was quite obviously barking because we -- strangers after all who've had the nerve to come into what is really her house in Piscataway, N.J. -- got her excited.

But now in Piscataway an ordinance about incessant barking between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m., has been expanded to include barking around the clock. And, yes, you could be fined.

Video Report

"That's not fair at all. Dogs shouldn't be scrutinized for what? They're talking! Talking is their barking!" resident Anthony Brullo said.

Anne Gordon is Piscataway's public information officer.

"The first thing that our animal control officer does when he gets a complaint, he sends a letter to the person who's complaining and they try to get it resolved," Gordon said.

Anthony Rodriguez has a baby who sleeps for a lot of the day. But like most non-owners CBS 2 HD talked to, he said a law on the books about barking is too much.

"Seems a little excessive," Rodriguez said.

CBS 2 HD heard the barking of Jake Johnson's wife's dog. Jake has been next-door neighbors with Ulrick Charles here for nearly 30 years. Charles does not have a dog, but said he has no problem with the neighbors on either side who do. Johnson, who has a dog, surprisingly said he likes the rule against constant barking.

"Some of them bark pretty much all day long," Johnson said. "Yes, well I try to keep our dog quiet."

One house were visited in particular had no problems because the family greeted us with open arms -- more or less – and barking dogs.

We hear you.

The ordinance was expanded to include round-the-clock complaints because the town got about 400 animal noise complaints last year.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)