LIVERMORE — Selectpersons on Tuesday were given a new Dog Control Ordinance that includes sections defining noise limits and penalties for violators.
Resident Dennis Sol of Hathaway Hill Road told the board he’s dealt with barking dogs for two years at Thomas Wilson’s Baldwin Hill Beagles kennel at 350 Hathaway Hill Road and asked the board for help.
“It’s tough to talk about a neighborhood situation,” Sol said. “I’ve been pleading, discussing this with Mr. Wilson. I’ve spoken with Animal Control Officer Richard Burton. I’ve gotten no results.”
He said the beagles bark and howl every day for hours and Wilson is away 10 to 12 hours a day.
“With the amount of animals he has, someone has to be accountable for their behavior,” Sol said.
Selectpersons advised him to file a written complaint.
Selectperson Megan Dion said the town’s ordinance lacks teeth.
“There’s no enforcement possible,” she said. “It doesn’t include penalties. The new ordinance, if approved, does,” she said.
Board Chairman Tom Gould said the proposed ordinance prohibits disturbing the peace, defined, in part, as sustained barking or howling for one hour, intermittently barking for three continuous hours or more, or for four consecutive days, heard by neighbors within 500 feet of the property where the dog is.
Dion said there would be a fine of $100 for the first offense and $250 for a second. Court action, should a third offense occur, could include removal of the dog from town.
Sol said, “The owner has told me they can’t do anything. He says baying is a natural occurrence.”
Administrative Assistant Amy Byron said selectpersons would have to approve the new ordinance, hold a public hearing and schedule a town meeting to vote on it.
“If you could get us a written, formal complaint we could pass it on to the state,” Dion told Sol.
“I will,” he said. “I love dogs but I’ve been under auditory stress for two years.”
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