“Okay Dog, Grab Your Things We’re Going Downtown!”…Police Take Barking Dog Into Custody

From the New Hampshire Union Leader

EPPING – A dog in an Epping neighborhood barked up the wrong tree and ended up in police custody.

Police took the unusual step last Sunday of seizing the barking dog from a Camp Lee Road residence after neighbors got fed up and complained.

Epping police Sgt. Jason Newman said the dog was removed by police because it had been barking much of the day outside the residence while owner Lorraine Neal was away. When Officer Bradley Jardis was unable to locate Neal, the dog was taken to the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Stratham until she returned home and retrieved the dog.

Though it was a first offense, Neal was cited yesterday for her barking dog and will now have to go before a judge, who will decide whether she should be fined. Neal did not return a phone call seeking comment yesterday.

“Typically if the folks were home, we’d just ask them to control the dog and keep it inside,” Newman said. “It’s rare that a dog would just be outside barking and being a nuisance when the owner isn’t home.”

According to state law, a dog can be considered a “nuisance” if it barks for sustained periods of more than 30 minutes or during the night hours, disturbing the peace and quiet of a neighborhood. The law exempts dogs used for guarding, working or herding livestock.

The barking can lead to fines of $25 for the first offense and $100 for a second or subsequent offense in the same 12-month period.

Barking is among the top five complaints that SPCA officials hear from dog owners. In most cases, excessive barking is caused by boredom, said Susan Carney, manager of the SPCA’s behavior and training programs.

Increasing exercise is one of the best ways to address a dog’s constant barking, Carney said. Exercise could include walking, running, wrestling or playing. Sitting and chewing on something can also provide exercise, said Carney, who encourages owners not to leave their dogs outside while they’re gone.  (Read more.)

B.S. Report–If you’ve ever lived next to a neighbor whose dog barked all day long it really becomes a pain in the butt.  It’s up to the owner to control their dog and make them comfortable so they’re not so bored that all they do is bark.  Sorry dog, you deserved to be arrested–life is rough, or ruff.