Bowling Green, KY Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Section 5-1.08 ('Animal Nuisances Prohibited') of the Bowling Green Code provides the operative law for barking dogs. The section makes it unlawful for any person to 'own, keep or harbor any animal that unreasonably annoys humans, endangers the life or health of persons or other animals, or substantially interferes with the rights of citizens.' The defined 'animal nuisances' expressly include: 'Barking, howling, whining or other continuous utterances, or excessive noise from any animal that causes unreasonable annoyance, disturbance or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept or harbored.' Other enumerated nuisances in the same section include animals trespassing on neighboring property, allowing animals off private property without a lead or leash (with an exception for the H.P. Thomas Bark Park), and unsanitary conditions or accumulated animal waste. Animal Protection / Animal Control is run by the City of Bowling Green Department of Neighborhood & Community Services and handles barking-dog complaints, leash-law enforcement, stray animals, vicious-dog regulation, dog licensing, and rabies / bite investigations. Dogs in Bowling Green must be licensed - license tags can be purchased at the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society, 1925 Old Louisville Road. There is no fixed minute-threshold in 5-1.08; officers evaluate frequency, duration, time of day, and whether the noise causes 'unreasonable annoyance.' The Property Code repeat-offender provisions of Subchapter 27-8 (BG2022-41) can apply to property owners cited multiple times for the same animal-nuisance condition.