Barking dog rules in Swampscott, 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.
A dog whose excessive barking disturbs a neighbor's quiet enjoyment is a nuisance dog under state law; any resident may file a written complaint triggering a hearing before the city or town.
Massachusetts defines a nuisance dog by its barking, and every Essex County city and town runs the complaint process the statute requires. A resident files a written complaint with the hearing authority — the selectboard, city council or a designated animal-control hearing officer. After a hearing the authority can order the owner to take remedial action to stop the noise. Ignoring the order leads to fines and, for continued violations, an order to remove or rehome the dog. Owners may appeal to district court within ten days.
Owners face remedial orders, fines up to $300, and, for continued nuisance, an order to permanently remove the dog from the community.
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See how Swampscott's barking dogs rules stack up against other locations.
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