Reposted with permission of the author.

From: arjay@bcpl.net (arjay)
Subject: ...CITY CODE & Barking Dogs...
Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2002 10:09:18 -0500
To: Charles Village Discussion

OK, ...the dog next door has been outside and barking for 3 days and you're at the end of your rope! You don't like the "Garden Hose" approach suggested by that "Madman" on the discussion list, for fear of escalation, so you decide to go right down the middle and approach a solution via BALTIMORE CITY CODE.

BARK! ...BARK! ...BARK!

1) You send a written FIRST COMPLAINT to the Bureau of Animal Control signed by at least 2 individuals from different households, or sworn and affirmed to by 1 individual in the form that the Bureau requires.

2) The Bureau must investigate this First Complaint, verify any prior violations, verify this violation, inform the owner of his responsibilities and liabilities, and if indicated serve a WARNING NOTICE that documents the first violation.

BARK! .....BARK!

3) You send a SECOND COMPLAINT (as above) that the same animal is again disturbing the peace.

4) The Bureau must again investigate this Second Complaint, verify any prior violations, verify this violation, and if indicated serve a FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL CITATION that documents the second violation.

BARK! .....BARK!

5) You send a THIRD COMPLAINT (as above) that the same animal is again disturbing the peace.

6) The Bureau must again investigate this THIRD COMPLAINT, verify any prior violations, verify this violation, and if indicated serve a SECOND ENVIRONMENTAL CITATION that documents the third violation.

BARK! .....BARK!

7) You send a FOURTH COMPLAINT (as above) that the same animal is again disturbing the peace.

8) The Bureau must again investigate this FOURTH COMPLAINT, verify any prior violations, verify this violation, and if indicated serve a THIRD ENVIRONMENTAL CITATION that documents the fourth violation.

9) If the current violation relates to the same animal and the same violation for which a WARNING NOTICE and 2 ENVIRONMENTAL CITATIONS were issued over a period of at least 120 days, but within a period of a year, the Bureau MUST PROMPTLY SEIZE THE DOG!

10) There is a process whereby the owner may reclaim the animal after all payment of fines, transportation fees, and other expenses for the care and boarding of the animal have been paid.

11) There is an appeal process for the owner. If the final decision is upheld, all related costs incurred by the Bureau are a personal debt due to the City of Baltimore.

That's all there is to it! I can only begin to imagine how much "process management" would be required by any complainant just to get all of this to happen. Seems to me like it would be much easier just to move to Spain as a simpler solution. I wonder if anyone has ever gotten through this whole process and whether any animals have ever been seized?

At any rate, that's what the BALTIMORE CITY CODE requires. GOOD LUCK!

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