New Bedford, MA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)
Barking dog rules in New Bedford, MA, 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
- Nuisance standard
- Habitual barking disturbing a 'considerable number' of persons
- Complaint threshold
- 3 complaints in a calendar year triggers citation process
- Each day
- Counted as a separate offense
- Citation authority
- Section 17-18 ticketing bylaw
- Enforcing officer
- Dog officer or police department
Summary
New Bedford declares a dog that habitually howls, yelps or barks enough to disturb a considerable number of neighbors a public nuisance, and after three complaints in a calendar year the dog officer or police must cite the owner under the city's ticketing bylaw.
The keeping or harboring of any dog or other animal, whether licensed or not, which by habitual howling, yelping, barking or other noise disturbs or annoys any considerable number of persons or neighborhood is unlawful, and is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and each day shall constitute a separate offense. The provisions of M.G.L.A. c. 140 shall be applicable. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly keep or harbor any dog which barks, howls or yelps in such a manner as to materially disturb or annoy persons in the neighborhood who are of ordinary sensibilities. Such dogs are hereby declared to be a public nuisance. ... If after three (3) complaints in a calendar year is given to the person alleged to be keeping a dog as set forth above, then a verified complaint may be presented to the police department or dog officer... The police department or dog officer shall notify the owner of such dog that such verified complaint has been received and shall cite the owner of the dog for the violation alleged in such petition pursuant to section 17-18.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 19).
Full Breakdown
Section 4-28 addresses barking directly, separate from its leash and restraint provisions. c. 140 applies as well. The ordinance separately makes it unlawful to knowingly keep or harbor a dog that barks, howls or yelps in a way that materially disturbs or annoys persons of ordinary sensibilities in the neighborhood, again declaring such dogs a public nuisance. Enforcement runs through a complaint process: when a complaint reaches the dog officer alleging a dog endangers safety or disturbs the quiet of any person by barking, biting or howling, the dog officer investigates and, if satisfied good cause exists, issues notice to the owner.
For excessive barking specifically, the police department or dog officer first notifies the owner after any complaint that they need to address the problem; if three separate complaints accumulate against the same owner within a calendar year, a verified complaint can then be filed and the dog officer or police must cite the owner under Section 17-18, the city's ticketing bylaw.
Violations & Fines
An owner who, after notice, neglects to remove or otherwise resolve a nuisance-barking dog can be cited under Section 17-18, the ticketing bylaw, and if convicted and still refuses to remove or kill the dog, the dog officer is directed to cause the dog to be killed. Once three verified complaints accumulate against an owner in a calendar year, a citation follows automatically upon a further verified complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is a barking dog considered a nuisance in New Bedford?
How many complaints does it take before the city cites a barking dog's owner?
What can happen if I ignore a barking dog complaint in New Bedford?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Bedford
Compare New Bedford to another location·View the Massachusetts noise ordinances overview
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Barking Dogs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bristol County handle barking dogs.