Post by CampWhippet on Mar 15, 2006 13:10:36 GMT -5
Dogs could cost owners 25 bones
By Hilary Corrigan Coast Press Reporter
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Barking dogs in Dewey Beach could fetch their owners a $25 fine, following a law on animal noise that town commissioners unanimously passed at a March 11 meeting.
While the town receives few complaints about animal noise, the ones that police do get leave them unable to act, since town law does not address the issue, said Dewey Mayor Courtney Riordan.
Lewes resident Georgia Leonhart objected to the measure, saying that Dewey should focus on noise problems without targeting the sources. The fines may cause property owners to quit renting to visitors with dogs, she warned.
"I interpret this as highly dog-hostile," said Leonhart, who noted later that she has written about dog-related laws for more than 20 years for animal groups and publications. "This is somewhat silly."
The town already has a law limiting other noise, Leonhart said.
"Why not amend that noise ordinance to cover all noise?" she said.
Resident Graham Smith also wondered why town council would craft a law singling out a certain noise when other sounds -- lawnmowers, children playing -- annoy other ears.
Commissioners could include the measure in a law on disorderly houses that covers noise violations, said town attorney Rob Witsil. But that measure calls for noise meter readings as proof, Witsil said, adding that he wanted to avoid that burden for animal noise offenses. That law also calls for higher fines and stricter penalties and could lead to revoking rental licenses.
"I would hope that this would be a complaint-oriented ordinance," Witsil said, noting that he preferred drafting a separate law over adding it to the existing one. "It's just too difficult to combine them."
Commissioners noted complaints about dogs left outside to bark while their owners head to the beach for the day. That exposure could harm the animals while also disturbing the neighborhood with noise, they agreed.
"There's nothing more aggravating," commissioner Dell Tush said of hearing constant barks.
Commissioner Dale Cooke agreed. "Something needs to be done so neighbors don't get disturbed," Cooke said.
The law applies at any time of day or night and a first offense would garner a warning for the pet owner. Fines for following offenses could range from $25 to $575.
Unlike other beach towns, Dewey allows dogs on the sand during the summer at certain times of the day. The town also serves as the site of an annual greyhound gathering.
Originally published Wednesday, March 15, 2006
www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060315/2262409.html
By Hilary Corrigan Coast Press Reporter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barking dogs in Dewey Beach could fetch their owners a $25 fine, following a law on animal noise that town commissioners unanimously passed at a March 11 meeting.
While the town receives few complaints about animal noise, the ones that police do get leave them unable to act, since town law does not address the issue, said Dewey Mayor Courtney Riordan.
Lewes resident Georgia Leonhart objected to the measure, saying that Dewey should focus on noise problems without targeting the sources. The fines may cause property owners to quit renting to visitors with dogs, she warned.
"I interpret this as highly dog-hostile," said Leonhart, who noted later that she has written about dog-related laws for more than 20 years for animal groups and publications. "This is somewhat silly."
The town already has a law limiting other noise, Leonhart said.
"Why not amend that noise ordinance to cover all noise?" she said.
Resident Graham Smith also wondered why town council would craft a law singling out a certain noise when other sounds -- lawnmowers, children playing -- annoy other ears.
Commissioners could include the measure in a law on disorderly houses that covers noise violations, said town attorney Rob Witsil. But that measure calls for noise meter readings as proof, Witsil said, adding that he wanted to avoid that burden for animal noise offenses. That law also calls for higher fines and stricter penalties and could lead to revoking rental licenses.
"I would hope that this would be a complaint-oriented ordinance," Witsil said, noting that he preferred drafting a separate law over adding it to the existing one. "It's just too difficult to combine them."
Commissioners noted complaints about dogs left outside to bark while their owners head to the beach for the day. That exposure could harm the animals while also disturbing the neighborhood with noise, they agreed.
"There's nothing more aggravating," commissioner Dell Tush said of hearing constant barks.
Commissioner Dale Cooke agreed. "Something needs to be done so neighbors don't get disturbed," Cooke said.
The law applies at any time of day or night and a first offense would garner a warning for the pet owner. Fines for following offenses could range from $25 to $575.
Unlike other beach towns, Dewey allows dogs on the sand during the summer at certain times of the day. The town also serves as the site of an annual greyhound gathering.
Originally published Wednesday, March 15, 2006
www.delmarvanow.com/deweybeach/stories/20060315/2262409.html
, now let me get my Baltimore accent and famous saying, here it goes, "Hey hon, see down the ooocean." Now you need to use a nasal tone with a slight southern accent.
