How long can a dog bark legally in the US?
Dog barking is a natural behavior but the nuisance barking disturbs the peace. The answer to the question “How long can a dog bark legally in the US?” varies according to the state you are living in. Alone Irvine City, a small city in California with 300,000 population has 456 complaints about dog barking. However, there is no federal law on how long a dog can bark legally in the United States. But most states have laws for dog barking. According to these laws, a dog can bark legally ranging from 10 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the state where you are facing the problems. In this article, you will learn about the legal barking duration of dogs in all states of America.
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How long can a dog bark legally in the United States?
A dog can bark legally for 10-30 minutes depending on the state you are living in. Research has shown that about 75% of people get frustrated by the barking of a dog at night rather than in the daytime. These laws aim to maintain peace in the local territory instead of bothering the dogs. You can use anti-bark devices to discourage the excessive barking of your dog. Here is the legal duration for a dog to bark in all the states of America.
Alabama Dog Barking Laws
There are no specific laws for dogs barking in Alabama state. However, if you are facing the issue of nuisance barking speak with the dog owner first and address the issue. Most of the dogs bark as their owner leaves the premises. If it does not work then contact with Animal Services department at 883-3788. At least two complaints to the department may trigger a case in court. But you have to prove the case before the city magistrate with evidence of nuisance barking.
Alaska Dog barking laws
A dog cannot bark legally for more than 5 minutes consecutive barking in Anchorage Alaska. First, talk with the dog owner and solve the problem. Then call Anchorage Animal Care & Control at 343-8119. However, the licensed musher can bark for 20 minutes.
Arizona Dog barking laws
There are no specific dog barking laws in Arizona. If you are facing the problem of the nuisance barking of the neighbor’s dog in the city of Phoenix then first talk with the owner to resolve the issue. If it does not work then pursue mediation which can save your time and money. The last option is to file a petition which can take around 3 months to resolve the issue. But you need signatures of at least 3 parties and evidence of dog barking such as videotapes. The owner may fined up to $2500. However, in Maricopa, animal control resolves the issue, and no fine to the owner.
California Dog barking laws
On average, a dog cannot bark for more than 30 minutes in California. The dog barking laws in California vary for different countries and municipalities. The dog owner may be fined up to $1,000 or 6 months in jail according to California Penal Code 373A and LA County Code Section 10.40.065. If you have a complaint about a dog barking, contact your local animal control agency at 310-523-9566.
Arkansas Dog barking laws
There are no specific dog barking laws in Arkansas. The animal control ordinance states that you can’t keep a dog with loud, habitual, and frequent barking.
Colorado Dog barking laws
In Colorado, it is unlawful for a dog to have consistent barking for 20 minutes between 7 am and 9 pm or for 10 minutes between 9:01 pm and 6:59. The law varies according to the municipality and country you are residing. However, in most municipalities, a dog can legally bark for 10 minutes in the daytime and 5 minutes at night time.
Connecticut Dog barking laws
There are no specific laws for dog barking in Connecticut. According to Nuisance Statute 22-363, the dog owner may be fined up to $100 and 1 month of prison.
D.C Dog barking laws
There is no specific law for the exact duration of dog barking. However, Section 900.1 DOGS states that “No person shall own or keep a dog that, by barking or in any other manner, disturbs the quiet of any neighborhood or any person” You can report the issue at DC Animal Care and Control Facility at (202) 576 – 6664. According to section 900.9, the neglected owner may fined up to $300 or 10 days in prison.
Delaware Dog barking laws
A dog can bark for 15 minutes continuously or intermittently for 30 minutes or more according to House Bill 84. This act exempts animal shelters, pet stores grooming facilities, veterinary offices, animal clinics, and dog barking due to intruders. Any dog owner found violating these laws is fined. You can register a complaint at 302-255-4646.
Florida dog barking laws
The dog barking laws vary in different counties. In Hillsborough County, it is unlawful for a dog to bark continuously for more than 20 minutes. However, Animal shelters, commercial boarding kennels, and properties that are zoned for agricultural purposes are exempt. The neglected owner can fined up to $500 with a 60-day prison sentence. In Hillsborough, you can register a complaint at (813) 744-5660.
Georgia Dog barking laws
The legal barking duration for a dog is 10 minutes in Georgia. In Augusta, it is unlawful for a dog to bark continuously for more than 20 minutes during the day (7 A.M. to 9 P.M.) or more than 10 minutes during the night (9:01 P.M. to 6:59 A.M. you can report an issue at Augusta animal service at (706) 790-6836. In Atlanta, a dog cannot bark for more than 10 minutes consecutively. The dog owner can be fined up to $150.
Hawaii dog barking laws
A dog with consistent barking can bark for 10 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes. First, contact the dog owner to resolve the issue. If it is unsuccessful, then contact with nearest Hawaii Island Humane Society. Lastly, report the issue to police non-emergency No. 935-3311. Dog owners can be fined $25 for the first offense, $75 for the second, $100 for the third, and $200 for any subsequent violation.
Idaho dog barking laws
There is no specific law for nuisance dog barking. Contact with the dog owner to resolve the issue. If it doesn’t work contact with humane society. Then you can take the case to court where a judge can fine the dog owner up to $300,
Illinois dog barking laws
The laws in Illinois prohibit barking dogs. However, the legal barking duration varies across municipalities. In Chicago, it is unlawful for a dog to bark for more than 15 minutes during the daytime (7 AM and 10 PM) or more than 10 minutes during nighttime ( 10 PM and 7 AM). the dog owner can be fined up to $500.
Indiana dog barking laws
It is unlawful for a dog to bark for more than 30 minutes during the day time or more than 20 minutes at night.
Lowa dog barking laws
There are no specific dog barking laws at Lowa. However, a dog is not permitted to disturb the peace. First, contact with dog owner to address the issue then register a complaint.
Kansas dog barking laws
There is no specific dog barking law in Kansas. However, it is unlawful to disturb the peace. Contact with the dog owner to solve the issue. If it does not work, then file a complaint with the help of the animal control center.
Kentucky dog barking laws
The dog barking laws differ across the counties. In Crittenden County, the legal duration for dog barking is 15 minutes. The dog owners can be fined from $50 to $1,000. While in Henderson County, it is also unlawful to disturb the peace in the neighborhood. The negligent owner can be fined between $20-$500 or 6 months in prison.
Louisiana dog barking laws
The dog cannot bark legally for more than 10 minutes continuously or 30 minutes intermittently. However, in southwest Louisiana, there is no legal barking duration but still, you can file a case.
Maine dog barking laws
According to section 1762. Barking dog, it is unlawful to keep a dog with habitual barking which disturbs the peace of any person. Any negligent dog can be punished up to $500 according to section 1767. penalties. In York, Maine, the legal barking duration for dogs is 10 minutes for continuous barking and 30 minutes for intermittent barking. In Town of Farmington and Wilton, a dog can bark continuously for one hour, or up to 3 hours for intermittent barking. on and off for three hours.
Maryla dog barking laws
There is no specific legal barking duration for a dog. However, it is unlawful to keep a dog with nuisance barking which disturbs the peace of a person or neighborhood. The dog can face civil penalties.
Maryland dog barking laws
The exact legal barking duration for a dog is not specified in Maryland. However, it is unlawful to keep a dog with nuisance barking which disturbs the peace. You can file a complaint and the owner can face penalties.
Massachusetts dog barking laws
In Massachusetts, there is no specific legal duration for dogs to bark. However, according to 136A, it is unlawful for a nuisance dog to disturb the peace. You can file a complaint if the problem is not solved by addressing the issue with the dog owner.
Michigan dog barking laws
There is no specific legal barking duration for a dog in Michigan. According to Michigan dog laws, It is unlawful for dogs with nuisance barking to disturb the peace. The dog owner can be fined up to $500 or in prison for 93 days.
Mississippi dog barking laws
According to the prohibition of noisy animals, it is unlawful to keep a dog with nuisance barking which disturbs the peace. However, there is no specific legal duration for a dog to bark.
Minnesota dog barking laws
A dog can bark legally for 10 minutes with continuous barking and 30 minutes with intermittent barking. You can file a complaint against the owner.
Missouri dog barking laws
According to laws, It is unlawful for dogs to disrupt the peace. Every county has its law for how long dogs can bark legally. You can file a complaint and the dog owner can face a penalty.
Montana dog barking laws
According to laws, it is unlawful to own a dog with a nuisance barking. However, animal shelters, licensed veterinarians, boarding facilities, or agricultural operations are exempted. You can file a complaint and the owner can be fined.
Nebraska dog barking laws
According to laws, It is illegal for dogs to disturb the peace with nuisance barking. However, there is no specific legal barking duration. But you can file a complaint at the animal control center and the owner can be fined.
Nevada dog barking laws
According to the municipal code, it is illegal for a dog to disturb the peace with unnecessary and frequent barking. However, there are no laws for barking duration. But you can file a complaint and the dog owner can be fined.
New Hampshire dog barking laws
According to law, dogs are allowed to bark legally for ½ hours at any time of the day. The dog which is guarding, working, or herding livestock are exempted. You can register a complaint and the dog can be fined.
New Jersey dog barking laws
According to laws, a dog can bark for 20 minutes during daylight hours (7 AM to 10 PM) and 10 minutes during night hours (10 PM to 7 AM). you can register a complaint and the dog owner can face a penalty.
New Mexico dog barking laws
There is no specific duration on how long a dog barks legally in New Mexico. However, you can file a complaint, and the dog owner has to address the problem within 7 days.
New York dog barking laws
According to the NYC Noise Code, a dog can bark legally for 10 minutes from 7 AM to 10 PM, or continuously for more than 5 minutes from 10 PM to 7 AM. You can register a complaint at this portal. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) responds to the complaint and issues a letter to the dog owner.
North Carolina dog barking laws
There are no specific laws for the legal duration of a dog to bark in North Carolina. However, a dog is not allowed to disturb the peace. First, talk with the dog owner to address the issue. If it is unsuccessful then file a complaint at the animal control center and the owner may be fined.
North Dakota dog barking laws
There is no specific duration legal duration in North Dakota according to laws. However, Nuisance dog is not allowed to disturb the peace. Each county has specific laws regarding the nuisance dog.
Ohio dog barking laws
Ohio does not have any state laws about dog barking. However, a dog with consistent barking is not allowed to disturb any person. In Columbus, a dog is not allowed to bark for more than 20 minutes. The dog owner may fined up to $150.
Oklahoma dog barking laws
Oklahoma has no state-level dog barking laws. However, it is illegal for a dog to create disturbance for any person. In Tulsa, the legal barking duration for a dog is 10 minutes. You can register a complaint at Oklahoma City Animal Shelter by dialing (405) 297-3100.
Oregon dog barking laws
Dog barking laws vary across different counties. However, a nuisance dog is not allowed to disturb the peace. Multnomah, a dog can bark for 10 minutes with continuous barking and 30 for intermittent barking. You can file a complaint and the dog owner can be fined.
Pennsylvania dog barking laws
There is no specific state level for the duration of dog barking. But in most of the counties, a dog cannot bark consistently for more than 10 minutes and more than 30 minutes intermittently. For accurate bark duration dial (717) 787-3062. You can register a complaint either through the portal or by dialing 717-787-4833.
Rhode Island dog barking laws
It is unlawful for a dog with consistent barking to disturb the peace of any person. However, the exact duration varies across the municipalities. In Woonsocket, a dog can bark legally for up to 15 minutes.
South Carolina dog barking laws
There is no state-level standard for legal barking duration for a dog. However, in most states, a dog cannot bark for more than 15 minutes and 30 minutes intermittently. You can register a complaint and the dog owner can be fined.
South Dakota dog barking laws
There is no state-level standard barking duration for a dog. But countries have laws for nuisance barking. However, a dog is not allowed to disturb the peace. You can file a complaint against the dog owner.
Tennessee dog barking law
Tennessee has no standard barking duration. But, it is illegal to disturb the peace of the neighborhood. However, counties have laws to combat the issue. In Hamilton County, dogs cannot bark legally for over 30 minutes. You can complain against the owner and he/she may be fined.
Texas dog barking laws
There is no standard barking duration but a dog is not allowed to disturb the peace. However, legal barking duration varies across the counties. The dog owner can be fined up to $500.
Utah dog barking laws
Utah does not have any law regarding barking dogs. However, the owner can be fined up to $200 for multiple complaints.
Vermont dog barking laws
There are no state-level dog barking laws. However, laws vary across the municipalities.
Virginia dog barking laws
There is no standard state-level legal barking duration for a dog. However, each county has laws to address the issue. But in most states, a dog cannot bark for more than 10 minutes consistently.
Washington dog barking laws
In most of the counties, a cannot bark more than 10 minutes consistently or 30 minutes intermittently. A dog in Snohomish County cannot bark legally for more than 10 minutes every half hour. Some Washington counties, like Pierce and King, do not have specific legal barking duration. You can register a complaint and the dog owner can be fined.
West Virginia dog barking laws
There are no specific laws regarding dog barking in West Virginia. However, a nuisance dog is not allowed to disturb the peace and the owner can be fined.
Wisconsin dog barling laws
There is no standard barking duration. However, you can file a complaint at the local animal center.
Wyoming dog barking laws
There is no standard barking duration. However, you can register a complaint against the nuisance dog at the local animal control center.
Conclusion
The legal barking duration in the United States varies across the states and cities you are residing. There is no federal dog barking law. However, local municipalities have laws to address the issue. First, check the exact legal barking duration of the local municipality, gather evidence, and then file a complaint. But before filing a complaint, contact the owner to address the issue. If it does not work then go for legal process.
