L.A. unleashes hefty fine for barking dogs

LOS ANGELES - Barking dogs can lead to a hefty fine in Los Angeles.

The City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance that fines owners of excessively barking dogs $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third if a Department of Animal Services hearing officer decides the pooch is barking too much.

City prosecutor Dov Lesel tells the Los Angeles Times that a dog's barking would be considered excessive if it continued for 10 minutes or more, or intermittently for a half-hour or more within a three-hour period.

The ordinance is expected to get Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's signature. It would go into effect before the end of the year.

In addition to the new fines, the changes would give animal services officials more power in dealing with owners of unlicensed dogs, the newspaper reports.