Barking dog rules in Plymouth County, 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 is a 'nuisance dog' under MGL c.140 §136A when excessive barking disrupts a reasonable person's quiet enjoyment. Any Plymouth County resident can petition the town selectboard or Brockton's hearing authority for an order under MGL c.140 §157.
Chronic barking across Plymouth County is handled through MGL c.140 §136A, which defines a nuisance dog by its behavior, and MGL c.140 §157, which lets a town selectboard, mayor, or hearing authority order the owner to correct the problem. A resident of Plymouth, Wareham, or Middleborough files a written complaint; the town holds a hearing and can order restraint, containment, or other remedies. Animal control officers investigate and document the pattern. The nuisance-dog standard turns on excessive barking that a reasonable person finds disruptive, not a fixed minute count.
After a hearing under MGL c.140 §157, the town can order the owner to abate the barking. Ignoring the order exposes the owner to fines and further court action.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Plymouth County's barking dogs rules stack up against other locations.
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