Washington Park East Neighborhood Association

Nov 2002 - Barking Dogs - Zoning Committee

Nov 08, 2002

From the Zoning Committee: Complaints about barking dogs have dramatically increased over the past several months. There are hundreds of dogs in WPE and the vast majority are trained and cared for in an exemplary manner?…However, some dogs are left unattended and barking, all day and sometimes all night. Part of the responsibility of owning a pet is caring for it. Kerry Muhovich, from the Denver Dumb Friends League ?–Humane Society of Denver, reports that ?“we find with proper instruction and very little time, barking can be curtailed if not eliminated all together. We encourage dog owners to call our Behavior Help Line at (303) 696-4941. Also, if you have reason to believe that any animal is being abused the number to call is (303) 696-4941, Cruelty Investigation?”. The City of Denver has ordinances in place that deal specifically with dogs i.e., their behavior and their care. Denver Code Barking, Section 8-46 It shall be unlawful for any owner, possessor, or person who keeps any dog, to permit such dog by loud and persistent or habitual parking, howling, or






yelping to disturb any persons or neighborhood, and the same is hereby declared to be a nuisance and is prohibited. Other ordinances that may be helpful: Running at Large-Section 8-16 (D.R.M.C.) states: ?“It shall be unlawful for any owner, possessor or person who keeps dogs to permit the same to run at large?”. Excrement-section 8-47 (D.R.M.C.) states: ?“It shall be unlawful for any person who possesses, harbors, or is in charge of any dog not to immediately remove excrement deposited by the dog upon a common thoroughfare, street sidewalk, play area, park, or upon any other public property,?…and such is hereby deemed to be a public nuisance and prohibited.?” WPENA asks for your support and cooperation in abiding by the regulations set forth in the Revised Municipal Code of the City and County of Denver pertaining to dogs. If you have concerns about dogs, talk with your neighbor or call the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter at (303) 698-0076. If you need further assistance you may call Ann Morgan, Chair of the Zoning Committee (720) 570-0555. By Ann Morgan