Daphne City Council cracks down on barking dogs

DAPHNE, Ala. (WALA) - BARKING IT UP IN DAPHNE

Fed up with dogs that yap it up, residents of the Lake Forest neighborhood of Daphne say barking is a real problem. The Daphne City Council has moved to put a leash on the issues.

To muzzle the noise, Daphne’s city council greatly increased the fines dog owners could face if their dogs disturb neighbors.

Barry Hendon told us, “We’ve got a few dogs behind me and normally they start barking around five in the morning.”

TEN-FOLD FINE INCREASE

Amanda Bailey agreed, “I’ll take naps and it will wake me up. It’s continuous barking.”

Bailey has dogs herself, both of which do bark, but she says they stay in most of the time, especially now with the increased fines.

It used to be just $15, now the penalties can fetch $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, and $500 for a third, along with a court date.

”I don’t think you can really control it if you have to let your dog out to go the restroom,” Bailey said.

QUICK ACTION FROM COUNCIL

The fine increase was first brought in front of the council Monday night.

Usually they take about two weeks until the next meeting to vote on an ordinance, but not this time. They felt so strongly, they went ahead and passed it without pause.

Daphne Councilman John Lake said, ”When someone comes to you asking for help let’s give it to them. Let’s help.”

Lake helped pass the updated ordinance. He told FOX10 News it’s aimed at the few dog owners who have repeatedly violated the ordinance in the past and never had the problem fixed.

”It’s not being big brother-ish to try to protect people’s quality of life or give people a good night’s sleep,” Lake said.