Springfield, MA Noise Ordinances: Barking Dogs (2026)

Barking, whining, howling, or other noises natural to such animal's species in an excessive, continuous, or untimely fashion, where such noise is plainly audible at a distance of 100 feet from the building, premises, or vehicle housing said dog, and such noise is continuous for 10 minutes or more, so as to disturb the peace or otherwise be disruptful to any person's quiet enjoyment of property, comfort, or repose;

(7) Obstructing any public way or private way, or distracting drivers upon the public way;

(8) Any other circumstances affecting the health or safety of the public or other animals as determined by an Animal Control Officer or the Board of Health.

C. The owner of a reproductively whole dog or cat over the age of six months found to be at large shall be subject to a fine of $100 per violation.

(1) The owner of the dog or cat shall have the option of paying this fine of $100 or, in the alternative, the owner may, within 10 days of the violation, have the dog or cat spayed or neutered. If the owner elects to have the dog or cat spayed or neutered, the owner shall present proof of same to the City Clerk in lieu of payment of the fine. The City Clerk, upon receipt of proof that the dog or cat has been spayed or neutered, shall waive the fine of $100. Proof requires written verification by the veterinarian who performed the sterilization that the dog or cat has been sterilized.

(2)