There is a dog barking ordinance in Delaware County. If a dog barks for more than 20 minutes you can call the sheriff ( They do enforce the laws). If you think the Sheriff is being taken away from other more important duties, then you should feel bad. Last year one of our neighbors had to call the sheriff when another neighbor's dog barked for hours at night. If I did not see the Sheriff there I would have called myself. We were kept awake until they arrived and had the dog put in the house. It is out of respect for your neighbors that a person should be held responsible to keep barking dogs under control. We all have a right to our privacy and comfort. You have the right to have a dog, but must be responsible enough to know when it is annoying your neighbors.