Proposed Palmetto Bay Ordinance May Leave Dogs With No Voice
PALMETTO BAY (CBSMiami) - Dog owners in Palmetto Bay may need to invest in a muzzle if a proposed upgrade to the village's noise ordinance is passed into law.
The Mayor of Palmetto Bay, Shelley Stanczyk, proposed that the noise ordinance be changed to allow anyone to file a complaint with the city for a dog that barked for 20 minutes or longer, or more than 5 times in an hour.
According to the proposed changes, the first complaint would automatically lead to a warning. The second complaint would yield a $250 fine and a third complaint would result in a $500 fine.
However, prior to issuing a citation, the village's noise control officer will issue a notice of civil infraction to the animal owner and give the owner a maximum of 30 days to correct the problem.
If a complaint is made, the owner of the dog would be allowed to appeal at city hall. However, the owner would have to prove their dog didn't bark for 20 minutes or 5 times in a hour.
There are two caveats to the ordinance that said a dog isn't deemed to be a barking dog under this regulation if:
- At the time the dog is barking or making any other noise, a person is trespassing or threatening to trespass upon private property in or upon which the dog is situated or for any other legitimate cause which teased or provoked the dog
- Or if the animal is placed within the single-family home, including the garage.
Palmetto Bay is planning on discussing the proposed ordinance changes at the council meeting on April 7.