The issue of barking dogs in Boulder was again a topic of discussion when the city council met March 20. Calling the discussion that has arisen at multiple past council meeting “this ridiculous barking dog issue,” Neal Meier delivered a letter that said, “The City of Boulder has more important issues at hand than dealing with barking dogs.” “That’s what dogs do – they bark,” Meier told the council.
A Monitor report March 8 found that of more than 1425 law enforcement calls in 2016, only 13 were for barking dog complaints and seven of those came from the same block of East Third Street, five from one address. Lori Smith, one of the residents in that block, has attended several recent council meetings to complain about what she described as an unwillingness to enforce the nuisance dog ordinance. Public records show that out of the 13 barking dog calls, six resulted in citations and all 13 were responded to by police.
Boulder Chief of Police Juan Trujillo said the current wording of the city regulations on nuisance dogs opens the door to too much subjectivity. He compared the language to Montana’s old vehicle speeding definition that called for “reasonable and prudent” driving. There is simply too much room for various interpretations, he said. Based on their public comments to the city council, Smith and Meier clearly have differing interpretations.
Meier said Smith has called the police numerous times to complain about his dogs. After being contacted by law enforcement, Meier said he bought and used bark collars for the dogs, purchased video surveillance equipment, made arrangements for a friend to help with dog care, and took other steps to try to control the barking. He said his dogs bark when certain vehicles pass by, when certain people pass by, and when other dogs are loose. He said he has seen people tease the dogs or carry out activities that cause the barking. But that is not unusual for dogs everywhere, he maintained.
“Has the barking and complaining become such a nuisance that we have to give away our dogs?” he asked the council. Is the recommended fix that “no one is allowed to have dogs in Boulder, Montana, because they bark?” he asked. “We feel that we are being singled out by only one neighbor,” said Meier. “Our opinion is that no matter whose dog is barking anywhere in Boulder our dogs get the blame whether they are inside or out.”
He told the council that “a person that calls and complains on a daily basis is becoming a nuisance to the city council, the Boulder Police Department and city attorney.” “I have been a dog owner for many years and I have never had to deal with this much negativity towards someone’s dogs,” said Meier. The council took no action on a previously proposed revision of the nuisance dog ordinance.
