46°Norwalk council discusses stiffer penalties for barking dogs
01:00 PM
Feb 15
2012
Feb 15
2012
Could a Norwalk resident be thrown in jail for having a barking dog?
Norwalk officials hashed out proposed legislation regarding noisy animals Tuesday during city council's work session.
Councilman Bob Carleton sponsored an ordinance that would put a little bite into the city's law, which he called "ineffective" regarding barking dogs. His proposal called for the first violation to be a minor misdemeanor, followed by subsequent violations within two years being second- and then first-degree misdemeanors that carry potential jail time.
To read what council members and some Norwalk residents thought about Carleton's proposal, pick up a copy of Wednesday's Reflector.
Find more of this story and other exclusive content in the Norwalk Reflector print edition or the E·Paper online newspaper.
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11:00 PM
ThomasJefferson says
Kopy Kat Kitty-Are you Dwight Tkach and did you personally walk around with Mr. Duncan? if not you have no business speaking for either....and I seriously doubt anyone tells Mr. Tkach what to say.11:24 PM
hor mone says
Whereja say I get one of those stiffer ones?11:09 PM
Seriously_Local says
No, but Duncan Donuts came to my door and echoed Tkach's thoughts, Mr. Jefferson.11:09 PM
Seriously_Local says
No, but Duncan Donuts came to my door and echoed Tkach's thoughts, Mr. Jefferson.10:52 PM
dogowner says
I would like to hear opnions on our reasoning for objecting to the planned barking dog ordinance. We have to deal with the following everyday people walkling aloong our fence line, stray cats spreading disesase in our yard, alongour fence line and living under our shed, people who think that it is okay to walk into our drive and break out car window with intent on stealing, people who think that it is okay to help themselve to items that are inside a yard protected by a 6' privacy fence to steal the things that we work hard for everyday. Someone vandalized our property stole from us and served minimal time and a fine just slightly higher that a proposed barking dog ticket. How is this right and please tell me tell me when I lost my rights!10:45 PM
dogowner says
Hi Cat we are in...thanks for the help11:57 PM
Kottage Kat says
Glad to hear it, and NO problem always willing to get folks on here, and Welcome to the Vida Loco. Kat with a K04:04 PM
ThomasJefferson says
For your information, It was Dwight Tkach who brought up employees being hired from out of town, and the SSD lives in Norwalk. Maybe you should apply for a position with the Reflector. You have your facts about as straight as they usually do.09:18 PM
Seriously_Local says
He asked Dwight to do that for him, plus you must have missed his complaint at council as well. He also told people door-to-door that he was against so many people working for the city but living outside the city limits.09:24 PM
Seriously_Local says
The new park and rec employee lives in Michigan and Duncan's SSD is from Willard. I wonder why he complained so much that all of Lesch's employees lived out-of-town, yet doesn't mind hiring people from outside the city limits?04:53 PM
Kottage Kat says
Believe this article is about "barking dogs", you have the wrong article. The article is on page # 1. Kousin Kitty, are your "dogs" barking? Kat08:59 AM
Toobusytoworkou... says
Michigan is a pretty long commute.10:50 PM
ThomasJefferson says
Tthe same Mr. Carlton who stated "if it ain't broke don't fix it" when discussing a playground directly next to homes is concerned about barking dogs. Imagine that. I guess he is only concerned with noise nuisances that affect him. I would guess he has a neighbor with a barker.07:29 PM
WakemanFam says
The dogs on either side of us bark constantly, constantly. The minute they are let out till the minute they are taken in they bark, at nothing. I get barked at each time I go into my backyard. Dog owners do not train their dogs, they should get a citation for the nuisance their dog creates. Our dog, our last dog whom we put down last year due to age and health and our new puppy does not make a sound unless there is alarm to do so. Thats the difference that training can make. If a dog owner will not train their dog, I will not hesitate to report it.06:56 PM
goldie4me says
Most of you must be lucky enough NOT to live next to a dog that is chained up outside all the time and barks because it is bored. Yes, dogs bark, but no one should have to listen to that all the time. Citizens have a right to peace and it is one of the many mundane duties of city council. I'm sure if they could just knit up some jobs, they would. That is an unending project. Let them do their job and it might even be a good thing for the neglected dogs too. I love dogs, they need to be with their people.08:33 PM
ThomasJefferson says
My suspicions have been confirmed....council really has gone to the dogs.05:25 PM
6079 Smith W says
A lead-in song for when the city council next takes up this idiotic piece of legislation:"Who Let The Dogs Out?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He82NBjJqf8
04:42 PM
arnmcrmn says
Nothing worse than people who leave their dogs out all day and all night on a chain and all they do is bark. Yes, its annoying and yes it is a public problem to those of us who do not want to hear a dog barking all day and night long.12:12 PM
swiss family says
it appears as if the "post election" regrets and disappointments are setting in..."we" had such high expectations" "we" saw so much promise..."we" believed that things would be so much better, more jobs, less fighting, more cooperation, more "good news"etc.....so long short lived dream... good bye to hope and expectations of a better tomorrow...hello reality.. hello dog park, hello playground equipment remaining in a Super Supporters back yard..hello higher taxes for a school levy, hello feeling intimidated by the powers that be in the school board and association , knowing that we will be hounded and punished until we approve and give into your demands,hello trivial arguing on topics such as dogs barking, and Christie Ave cleanup, goodbye common sense, and any fulfillment of the election promises................Oh and by the way Like Cat says.. please do NOT include ME in the term "we" .... it would be nice to see Council and the administration step away from the petty things and concentrate on the jobs that were promised11:11 AM
bikerwife says
Mr. Carleton, yes barking dogs can be a pain in the butt..Sometimes it's a good thing..Someone breaking into a vehicle, snooping around your house or garage, or there could be an emergency like a fire, or someone hurt..This is a common problem every where & no matter how hard you try, it will never change..You're wasting your breathe, time, & our tax money..We have more pressing issues in our city..Drugs, no jobs, as well as abandoned houses & buildings..NO one will bring their business here until these things are under control..Would you? We need to fix what's really broken & leave the minor things alone..Barking is in a dogs nature, you can't change that (yes, I have a dog)..I, as a voter & tax payer, would appreciate city council, concentrating on the more important issues..I'm sure there are allot of other people who feel the same way..11:05 AM
Kottage Kat says
ridiculous, perhaps? Thank you. Kat09:41 AM
6079 Smith W says
@ 44846GWP: Back to the topic: The legislation is about ultimately JAILING the irresponsible owner. This 'somehow' makes sense to you Zippy???And what becomes of the canine(s) while the owner is incarcerated? Take it/them to Zippy’s house?
Reads like Mr. Carleton is potentially encouraging his constituents to call him at all hours of the day or night when they have issues with noisy neighborhood dogs.
07:38 AM
Snoozer says
B.B. guns work pretty good for this type of application.04:26 AM
cjbell019 says
How about a law that allows for multiple bath house locations in Norwalk??01:46 AM
sanitycheck says
Animal hating City Council At Large. Why don't we license and fine all the cat owners with cats not on a leash. Good Income Source. Then we can go after crying babies. How about noisey birds? Ear plugs are an option.04:09 AM
-rebel says
good point !!!01:29 AM
IT-IS-WHAT-IT-IS says
ok -Last time I checked dogs bark !!!! Arresting a pet owner for their dog barking is absurd.Further it is cruel and unusual punishment - for the dog and the owner !!!04:10 AM
-rebel says
well stated !!!10:42 PM
kURTje says
Sure glad I live in the country10:30 PM
44846GWP says
rebel, Are you one of those people that has a barking dog outside all day long?10:43 PM
-rebel says
@ 44846GWP - I keep my bitch in line, so as not to bother others. We simply have too many other problems to deal with other than rediculous legislation. Do you have a dog, and if so is it a boy or a bitch? I bet you own one of those dogs who is a leg humper.09:15 PM
-rebel says
Moderators have removed this comment because it contained personal attacks. Discussion Guidelines09:23 PM
-rebel says
P.S. - I almost forgot, let's make it illegal for people to leave their crappy old furniture out by the curbs waiting for others to come along and claim it. Good citizens go up to city hall and purchase the large item stickers.06:13 AM
truckin says
So rebel, or should i say cliff? thinking same person...or a wanna be whiner (pillar of community pooh) ..Nothing wrong with people sticking old furniture out. If still in ok shape but not desired by current owner, Why can't they set out for a few days and see if anyone could use it? via come along and claim it. I think that is nice and good and i have stuck a few things out by curb, (old grill, old mower come to mind) set it out and boom within hrs, because of street i live on (traffic) it's gone..best of all. I have NEVER had anothing stolen out of garage when open.. People are smart enough to know what is there for the taking and what would be considered theft.06:58 AM
-rebel says
@ truckin - first, you're a true genious if you think Cliff and I are the same person. Are you too cheap to buy a large item sticker? Why should others be forced to look at your crap out by the street until someone finally hauls it away? Sometimes those items can set there for a couple of weeks, and it looks bad when others take pride in grooming their yards. I get tired of people making an area look like a pure dump. Have some pride in yourself.10:34 AM
truckin says
Your remark. "i get tired of" Who are you???? Someone superior?? (that's the outcome of being Cliffs twin) But, who are you to say how someone views THERE OWN property? as far as weeks.. That is never the case. I NEVER seen that. Only when possible renter splits, and the owner hasn't gotten around to landfill the junk, (some people has jobs not just aimed at pleasing YOU!), and it's by the road n someone takes??? all the better.12:48 PM
-rebel says
@ truckin - I never went to charm school, but you might consider getting a G.E.D. so you can possibly learn some basic grammar. You must be too cheap to purchase a sticker, or do you need that money for heroin?08:15 AM
Cliff Cannon says
@rebel: Realizing,that what dog's do is -----bark.I hadn't looked at this article till last night and then only for the expected laugh's as I was showing 'the blogs' to my wife. Picture me laughing till it hurt,when I found out we were' twins ' . That was just too good. Do have a question though,did you about die laughing when you read it, or race oFF for a 12 pack ? ( which is what I did,when the euphoria left : ) Great day to you 'twin'08:54 PM
44846GWP says
jimbo02: Right on point!08:51 PM
44846GWP says
There are some dumb blogs on here, Winnie comes to mind. This law would be for people that leave there dogs out on a chain all day, where the poor dog barks all day long. I have lived next to people who did this all the time. These types of dog owner shouldn't even have a dog. Take your dog out for a walk, or put him on the chain to go potty, then let him in the house. Don't leave your barking dog outside all day! Simple responsible pet ownership. Got it Winnie?07:45 PM
JIMBO2 says
The only people with silent dogs are the dope dealers that cut the dogs vocal chords. Dogs bark. However, if your neighbor gets a dog, ties it out and pays no attention to the dog except to dump food in a bowl and the dog barks nonstop , that is not a dog issue, it is a training issue and NOT the dogs fault. That could grow annoying quickly04:49 PM
6079 Smith W says
Councilman Carleton reads like an authoritarian Nazi.Good luck with that nutty ordinance. It'll be declared unconstitutional if the rest of the council is stupid enough to pass it.
Why not just have authorities dispatch the offending canine on the third offense? What about other noisy animals like parrots or cats?
04:46 PM
reeeaaalllyyy says
Got a better idea ... shock collars for elected officials ... when they start bickering about things that just do not matter / ZAP . When they waste tax dollars / ZAP . Folks ... go next door ... talk it over with the neighbor ! Dogs bark. That's just the way it is ! If some fool actualy passes legislation concerning a dogs god given right to bark and is allowed to keep his seat ... well who's fault is that. Throw Carleton out .04:49 PM
reeeaaalllyyy says
& I'm not a fan of yippy dogs . I'm really not a fan of stupidity04:17 PM
Seriously_Local says
What about a law for Reflector posters that won't be quiet?03:54 PM
thirtysomething says
I've got a neighbor that won't shut up...can we fine him???? Seriously, he parties all year long, outside, rain or shine, in the snow, all days of the week, with two elementary school age children in the home. Everyone in the neighborhood's called the police and nothing is ever done. No fines, nothing. Just a "keep it down." Maybe if I can get my dog to bark all night the police will show up to fine me and finally catch the drug activity that's going on over there.03:00 PM
what the? says
What do we do with the people that won't shut up?03:43 PM
Uputwhatwhere6 says
LOL. Good on. Any answers swiss?11:48 PM
swiss family says
yes I do have suggestions... First I would suggest putting Cat Nip and a fresh litter box in a padded room, and throw in a box of Meow Mix, ans wait until she is trapped, then lock her inside, then I would suggest that you tell the other one to try to give an opinion sticking to the topic at hand, and have him stop relaying any and all of his own personal experiences . Also tell him he can only say the word " I " 3 times in any story... that should help you out !!!! thanks for asking, by the way !!!02:49 PM
Good Neighbor says
Was thinking might want to work on the heroin problems rather than barking dogs...I completely agree that you shouldnt just let your dog bark like crazy but I know that our dog barks to let us know someone is in or near her yard. Lets put it this way, let me know when my dogs barking kills someone, causes them to go to jail or have their stomach pumped. such trivial issues for people to be so concerned about when there is much more in the world that needs fixed