A new Barking Dog Noise Ordinance became effective June 1, 2002 for the City of Columbus. This ordinance was created by City Council to address the issue of dogs being left at home without supervision, possibly caged, and chronically barking or yipping throughout the day or night. Four residents in Summerwood have registered complaints about this very issue. The Barking Dog Noise Ordinance can be enforced by calling 645-4545 and requesting that an officer respond to the pet owner’s address. The only stipulation is that the dog owner must be home at the time you make the call to police. The police officer has no jurisdiction over the dog itself, but will issue warnings or citations to the pet owner for violating the noise ordinance. The fines will cost a resident no less than $25.00 and possibly more than $100.00, if the ordinance is violated more than once.

Long summer nights mean that dogs, as well as their companions, are out for walks in the evening. While residents enjoy man’s-best-friend, they do not enjoy the deposits being left on their lawns. Several residents reported that during the day pet owners act responsibly and pick up their dogs’ waste. But often times, residents find in the morning that pet owners have not been so responsible in the late evening hours. Please be considerate of your neighbors, the children playing in yards, and landscaping efforts by always cleaning up after your animal.