Barking dog rules in Colorado Springs, CO — also called nuisance dog, dog noise, or excessive barking ordinances — define when a barking dog becomes a code violation and how complaints are handled.
Colorado Springs City Code section 6.7.115 makes it unlawful to own or keep any pet or hoofed animal whose unreasonably loud and persistent barking, howling, baying, yelping, crowing, or crying disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. An animal control officer issues a written warning first, the owner gets 3 days to correct it, and only then can enforcement action follow.
Animal noise is handled outside the Title 9 noise article, in City Code section 6.7.115 (Noisy Pets Or Animals Prohibited). Subsection A makes it unlawful to own or keep any pet or hoofed animal that, 'by any unreasonably loud and persistent barking, howling, baying, yelping, crowing, crying or other utterance disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.' The enforcement process is graduated: under subsection C an animal control officer who finds a violation must first give the owner or keeper a written warning, and the owner gets three days to correct it; only if the violation persists or recurs at the same residence after the three-day period can enforcement action follow. No enforcement action may be taken more than six months after a written warning is given. A warning requires at least one witness to the unreasonably loud and persistent noise (which can be the officer or the complaining witness), and a conviction at trial requires corroborating testimonial or demonstrative evidence from someone other than the complainant or a member of the complainant's household. 'Neighborhood' is defined as the area within 500 feet of the premises where the pet resides. On a second conviction, the court may order the owner to abate the nuisance within five days, and failure to do so is contempt of court. It is a defense that the complainant provoked the animal.
Written warning from an animal control officer, a 3-day cure period, then a summons and complaint in Municipal Court if the noise persists or recurs within six months. On a second conviction the court may order abatement within five days; failure constitutes contempt of court under chapter 11 of the City Code.
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