Clark County, IN Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in Clark County, IN, also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances, define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 91.40(F)
- Standard
- Habitual barking causing serious annoyance
- Fine range
- $25 to $1,000
- Citation authority
- Animal control, police, sheriff
- Ordinance origin
- Ord. 3-1989, 3-21-1989
Summary
Section 91.40(F) makes it a nuisance violation for an owner to fail to prevent habitual barking or loud, continued noise from a dog or cat that causes serious annoyance or disturbance to the neighborhood, alongside other listed nuisances like chasing vehicles or damaging property.
§ 91.40 NUISANCE. Each owner shall exercise proper care and control of his, her or its dog/cat or dogs/cats so as to prevent the following actions by it or them: ... (F) Habitual barking or loud and continued noise which causes serious annoyance or disturbance to the neighborhood; and (G) Unnecessary foul or noxious odors which offend people in the neighborhood.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2019 S-0: Code: Local legislation current through Ordinance 31-2014, passed 12-18-2014).
Full Breakdown
40 requires every owner to exercise proper care and control of a dog or cat so as to prevent a list of nuisance behaviors, including molesting passers-by, chasing passing vehicles, attacking other domestic animals, trespassing on private property or school grounds, damaging private or public property, unnecessary foul or noxious odors, and, under subsection (F), habitual barking or loud and continued noise which causes serious annoyance or disturbance to the neighborhood. The provision is part of the same Control of Dogs and Cats subchapter that defines an OWNER as anyone owning, keeping, or harboring the animal, including anyone who feeds or shelters it for three or more consecutive days, so a person caring for a barking dog long-term can be cited even without formal ownership.
38 specifying the section violated, requiring the owner's appearance in county court to answer the charge, without first having to impound the animal. The rule was adopted by Ord. 3-1989, passed March 21, 1989.
Violations & Fines
A proven violation of the Section 91.40 nuisance provision, including habitual barking, is punishable under Section 91.99(D) by a fine of not less than $25 and not more than $1,000 upon conviction, separate from any impoundment that follows if the animal is also found at large.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a complaint about a neighbor's barking dog in Clark County?
Do I have to own the dog to be cited for its barking?
What is the fine for a habitual barking violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clark County
Compare Clark County to another location·View the Indiana noise ordinances overview
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