City of Ann Arbor files lawsuit against dog owner after repeated complaints of barking
Judith Pasich is shown in the backyard she says she no longer uses because of dogs barking in her neighbor's yard.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Sleep doesn’t come easily for Judith Pasich.
That’s because the west side Ann Arbor resident says she endures the din of her neighbor's dogs barking intermittently nearly daily.
Sometimes the six dogs start barking at 4 a.m.; sometimes they start at 11 a.m. Sometimes the barking lasts for minutes; sometimes it lasts for hours.
Pasich said she's at her wits' end.
“It’s like a car with a loud boom box not just driving by, but parking in your driveway for 15 to 30 minutes, three to five times a day,” she said.
After three and a half years of Pasich and her neighbors on Revena Place calling police about the barking, the city has filed a lawsuit to order Celina Sinanyan, the dogs’ owner, to bring peace to the neighborhood.
“I feel like I’ve done all I can do,” Pasich said. “We hope we get favorable results with the lawsuit, but we’ve done so many things so far and haven’t gotten any results. Until we get the peace and quiet, we aren’t going to believe anything.”
Assistant City Attorney Kristen Larcom declined to comment on the case, but said the neighbors did the right thing by calling the police and making sure there was documentation of the nuisance. She said while the situation is extreme, the complaint is common.
“We get these complaints frequently,” Larcom said. “You can imagine, one of the most common complaints that we receive is barking dogs.”
The complaint states Sinanyan admitted her dogs have created a noise nuisance between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., which is a misdemeanor. The complaint also says the continuous barking during daytime hours creates a noise violation and is a public nuisance.
Per city ordinance, an animal-related noise nuisance is defined as noise “occurring frequently or for a continued duration, which annoys, endangers, injures or disturbs a person of normal sensibilities on premises other than that occupied by the owner of the animal.”
To abate the nuisance, the city is requesting that Sinanyan develop a plan that will "put an end to her dogs interfering with her neighbors' right to a reasonable amount of peace and quiet." The complaint also requests Sinanyan relinquish ownership of some or all of the dogs to lessen the likelihood of continued problems.
Pasich said she has called the police on many occasions, but “feels like a nut” for having to complain so much. Pasich said she doesn't like calling the police to deal with barking dogs, but sees no other options.
“It seems a shame to tie up a police (officer) because of loose and barking dogs, especially when it happens again and again,” Pasich said.
According to the complaint, police were called because of Sinanyan's dogs on 25 different occasions since January 2008. The calls came from seven different neighbors, and two citations were written - one for a noise violation and one for a dog running loose through the neighborhood without a leash.
The barking usually stops for a week or two after the police visit, then resumes, neighbors say.
Pasich, who now sleeps with earplugs, said the problems began when Sinanyan moved in next door three and a half years ago.
The complaint states Sinanyan has acted openly hostile toward her neighbors, who say Sinanyan mostly just won’t answer the door. She did not answer the door when a reporter made several attempts to contact her.
Cindy Waygren, Pasich’s other next-door neighbor, has similar complaints. She regularly loses sleep because her house in the only two-story home on the cul-de-sac. There is nothing between her bedroom window and the yard where the dogs are let out in the back yard.
The barking kept her up for so long one night last month that she had to leave work early due to exhaustion, Waygren said.
“It sounds like a humane society over there,” she said, adding the owner has showed “a complete and utter disrespect for everyone.”
Waygren said all the neighbors in the immediate vicinity are growing increasingly frustrated.
“It feels like it's coming to a head right now,” Waygren said. “When it’s midnight and there are six neighbors in the street figuring what to do, something’s wrong. She just really does not care. We live on a court, lived here for 20 years, and it has been a beautiful place to live until the last three years.”
Although the neighbors mostly see the dogs as a noise nuisance, one of the six regularly gets loose, they say. Waygren said it once snapped at a neighborhood boy, and Pasich said it snapped at a police officer who came over to investigate the barking.
Waygren said her family limits the use of their back yard because the dogs start barking immediately after someone steps out the back door.
“The time is right to get something done,” Pasich said. “In summer, people like to use their back yards and keep windows open, but you just can’t do that here.”
Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
queenjane
Sat, Jun 5, 2010 : 8:30 a.m.
Any follow up on this story? Has the resident been served papers in the case? Are the dogs still barking? Where does the city's complaint stand?
thinker
Mon, May 31, 2010 : 6:11 p.m.
It's been two weeks since something was going to be done. Has anything happened? The dogs are still barking! How about AnnArbor.com doing a follow-up on this story? Has the lawsuit been filed? How about a progress report?
dadina2
Sat, May 29, 2010 : 8:49 p.m.
I feel the pain of these neighbors! I to have a house in Pinckney and the barking never stops! We are not able to have our windows open, enjoy our patio, have our children play in their own yard, without listening to non-stop barking!! We have called our neighbors a few times, but the problem still exists. We've had it!! I'm with you Janet Quay! We also are in a lake community! It is time to do something about this!
thinker
Sun, May 23, 2010 : 9:05 p.m.
@j7-I just drove down Revena Place, and Judith's yard looks great! ( Still noisy though on the street). @mark Breeding- Ann Arbor has been a dogopolis for far too long! That will only change-to a city where tax payers/humans have more right than dogs- when the citizenry demand city council change the ordinances and fines so that a neighborhood can get some sleep and some peace.
Mark Breeding
Sun, May 23, 2010 : 3:02 p.m.
I don't understand the ordinance against dogs barking. The article explains that barking through the night is a misdemeanor. Why must the city file suit? It seems, after several repeated violations (which we are FAR beyond) the offender should simply be cited and prosecuted. Very harsh, but effective: in other jurisdictions, after a certain number of violations, the dogs are simply removed from the property. Does our ordinance contain such provisions?
J7
Sun, May 23, 2010 : 12:51 p.m.
Judith needs to take a LONG look at herself before complaining about her neighbor. Having grown up on Revena Place I don't remember 617 EVER looking the way it does! Overgrown shrubs, trees growing out of basement wells, green moss growing on the side of the house, lawn not mowed! The original family of 617 would be heartbroken to see the postwar gem, built by their father, in this state. I would think her neighbors would be worried about the property value living next to her! Maybe the dogs are barking because they're complaining about her.
ed
Sun, May 23, 2010 : 7:55 a.m.
I also went thru the same thing for 3 years. Non stop barking by 6 dogs each in a 6X10 kennel all year long. The only interaction these dogs had with their owners was when they were fed. I tried every approach I could think of and got no cooperation from the owners. As a last resort I called the police. It took several visits before anything was done. Finally they were cited for operating a kennel without a license. They found the cost of applying for a kennel license prohibitive with approval unlikely and eventually moved elsewhere. The laws and ordinances are there, someone just needs to enforce them.
Petunia
Sat, May 22, 2010 : 12:51 p.m.
BarkingDogs.net Welcome to barkingdogs.net, the most comprehensive source on earth for information about chronic barking and the impact it has on human health. Whether your dog is barking disruptively, your neighbor's dog is pushing you beyond your limits, or you are a governmental administrator looking for an abatement program that works, whatever it is you need to know about chronic barking and how to bring it to an end, you'll find the answer here.
Anonymous Due to Bigotry
Thu, May 20, 2010 : 9:40 p.m.
@Dave66: The 4th amendment is about due process, not "you can never seize my property ever no matter what." The key words there would be "upon probable cause" and "warrant". Otherwise nobody would ever be able to seize explosives, illegal drugs, repossess cars, etc. It would be kind of funny if the cops could arrest illegally behaving humans but not illegally behaving dogs.
ShadowManager
Thu, May 20, 2010 : 9:24 p.m.
Those dogs just need some Zingerman's food, a Google app, and a walk around the Diag and they'll get with the program here in A2.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Thu, May 20, 2010 : 3:43 p.m.
@Joe I don't really like the picture. I think a picture with her smiling would have made her look a bit nicer. *shrug* All I can say is that my first impression upon reading this article was that the neighborhood curmudgeon was picking on people for normal levels of noise. The picture really fit in with that impression. The comments here have since convinced me that my first impression was very wrong and not fair at all. As for allowing people to "vote" others out of the neighborhood...well surely you can see why that might be a really bad idea. People would vote others out for all kinds of reasons like race, sexual orientation, or even complaining about dogs barking in certain neighborhoods.
Joe
Thu, May 20, 2010 : 2:33 p.m.
To all who have commented on the choice of picture used in the article: What picture would you like them to use? One of the poor lady smiling? That wouldn't fit the tone of the article. Besides, after all she and her neighbors have been through, I doubt she CAN smile any longer...
Joe
Thu, May 20, 2010 : 2:25 p.m.
Instead of limiting the number of pets allowed in a house, it would be better if we could find a way to limit the number of selfish, inconsiderate neighbors. Maybe neighborhoods should come up with a "Survivor" -style voting process. If your neighbors vote you out (with good reason, of course), you have to move somewhere else :)
Dave66
Thu, May 20, 2010 : 6:05 a.m.
@Anonymous Due to Bigotry It's because of that pesky Bill of Rights. Specifically, the Fourth Amendment: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
Anonymous Due to Bigotry
Thu, May 20, 2010 : 12:06 a.m.
I don't understand why animal control doesn't just take the animals.
Petunia
Wed, May 19, 2010 : 2:41 p.m.
@ RESIDENT I empathize with your frustration. Hopefully you have neighbors who can also complain to the dog owner. Actually the owner doesn't sound very responsive to complaints If not, you and your neighbors attending a city or township meeting regarding this might bring about some action. Sounds like this is something JANET QUAY from Pinckney is ready to do. Do people file their own suits in regard to a case like this. It seems a shame to waste you own money but if your win I bet the dogs owner would have to pay court costs. Channel 7 interviewed several neighborhood people who provided the documentation (complaints) the city needed to file the lawsuit. It was featured on the 5 p.m. news last night, Tuesday May 19th. WXYZ TV has a link with quite a few constructive comments. www.wxyz.com/news/local/story/City-Sues-Homeowner-over-Noisy-Dogs/CHtxLwKAJUmzU_VR-l9z8Q.cspx
Resident
Wed, May 19, 2010 : 12:54 p.m.
I'm fed up too. 8 yrs w/ two nbr dogs across the street who bark when I go out the front door (many yards away), go to the mailbox, garden in my plot near the street, when anyone walks by on the street. I've asked the animal control officer to help several times; no impact because the regulations are lousy (must I sit and record the dogs' barking for 24 hrs straight?). I commented abt dog noise problems online at time of rotweiler incident. #1: City must have absolutely strict regulations about 'nuisance' barking, that favor the bothered person. #2 City should advertise current regulations widely so people know the (insufficient) basics. #3 People like me with longtime barking disturbance [it is hard to live a decent life here, they are such rabid barkers] should have an easy way to bring their case forward and get the dogs silenced. Eight years and nothing works here. Think of it; 8 yrs. When I call the owner and say "bring the dogs in", usually no one answers (at home?, not at home?) or if they do, it's not a pleasant conversation. Owners are responsible for their dogs' behavior. My neighbor doesn't take that responsibility, and I'm left with many lousy hours just trying to live a sensible decent life.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Wed, May 19, 2010 : 11:44 a.m.
@petunia See now, that doesn't sound like much of a problem at all. That sounds like the noise in my neighborhood.
Biscuithead
Wed, May 19, 2010 : 9:15 a.m.
@earthchick I think the city is going this route because the owner is uncooperative. She simply doesn't answer the door for the police (or anyone) anymore. Maybe they can't impound her dogs without her participation (which she isn't giving), or a warrant to come on her property (since the dogs are contained in her fenced-in backyard). Of course, if one gets loose, then that dog could be taken to the Humane Society and she'd have to pay to get it back.
earthchick
Wed, May 19, 2010 : 8:36 a.m.
I still don't understand why the city has to bring a lawsuit to resolve this case. It looks to me like the nuisance code allows for the police simply to remove the dogs for this sort of disturbance, especially given how well-documented and ongoing it is.
Petunia
Wed, May 19, 2010 : 8:35 a.m.
DebG I agree with you. There does not need to be a limit on dogs because well-behaved, under control ones are not a nuisance. But more dogs means more responsibility and this woman has taken none. Living in the neighborhood I know she has 6, a Giant Schnauzer with a loud bark, a yappy cocker spaniel, and a miniature schnauzer. I also am a dog lover and know these 3 breeds are not the quiet type. The other 3 are mutts who are now behaving like the first 3 mentioned. To set the record straight the dogs are not out 24/7 because if she did and she would have daily citations. However she leaves all 6 in her small house for 14 hours straight when she is at work and when she gets home and lets them out they explode from the door and all 6 bark nonstop until she takes them in which is from 15 minutes to 2 hours. You have to feel for the dogs but let's feel more for our neighborhood which has endured for so long.
J. Sorensen
Wed, May 19, 2010 : 5:01 a.m.
I too am a dog owner/lover. I found out that one of my dogs was barking excessively while I was away (not by any neighbor complaints, but because I heard her driving up one day). Of course I don't want my neighbors to have to listen to that, so I created a diversion for her. It turns out she would just sit in the window and bark at anything going by. Now she has her own bedroom!(mine)With windows high enough she can't see out of them and music just loud enough to drown out outside noises but low enough not to hear from elsewhere in the house. When she plays at the dog park with the other dogs she never makes a noise. This woman obviously shouldn't be a dog owner. Dogs need attention and playtime/exercise or they will become unruly barking machines! Keeping them outside 24/7 during all seasons is just plain animal cruelty in my mind! My sympathy to the neighbors who have put up with this nonsense for 3+ yrs!
a2citizen
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 7:57 p.m.
@dylan dude. I grew up in Detroit and I remember the barking dogs. Some of them were everybit as bad as those described in this article. I remember beagles and poodles barking, an occassional German Shepard. But over time things change and those dogs have been replaced by pit bulls. And oh yeah, diversity is not all it is cracked up to be.
jcj
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 4:26 p.m.
The talk about "thin walls" and "You should move to Detroit where they didn't make our houses out of cardboard." are not based on fact. Most houses built in Michigan in the last 50 years have 2x4 walls and drywall. Some may not have insulation which could account for more noise transfer. Most houses built more than fifty years ago would have 2x4 walls with plaster which could account for quieter houses in Detroit since there have not been many new homes built in Detroit proper in the last fifty years. Or it could be that the sound of gun fire drowns out the sound of the dogs.
Tom Perkins
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 2:37 p.m.
According to Assistant City Attorney Kristen Larcom, Ann Arbor has no limit to how many dogs a person can own before they are required to obtain a kennel permit. Ann Arbor can apply the state law, which states "For the purposes of this act, a kennel shall be construed as an establishment wherein or whereon 3 or more dogs are confined and kept for sale, boarding, breeding or training purposes..." Larcom said this person appears to be keeping the dogs only as pets, so the state law does not apply here.
Dylan Dude
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 2:33 p.m.
You should move to Detroit where they didn't make our houses out of cardboard. Plenty of dogs, never hear them. But then you might actually encounter diversity.
Tom Perkins
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 2:04 p.m.
Treetowncartel, The following paragraph is copied from the story: To abate the nuisance, the city is requesting that Sinanyan develop a plan that will "put an end to her dogs interfering with her neighbors' right to a reasonable amount of peace and quiet." The complaint also requests Sinanyan relinquish ownership of some or all of the dogs to lessen the likelihood of continued problems.
jcj
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:51 p.m.
@michigan48103 I would suggest you heed your own advice and find somewhere else to live! Maybe in a "Van down by the river" ala Chris Farley @DebG I could not have put it better!
TreeTownGal
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 12:30 p.m.
Oh Marcy.... (sigh) tsk, tsk. I agree with most: that the owner needs to be examined on how she treats her dogs and be taught what is needed to resolve the situation. I grew up in that neighborhood and the west side is still home to me.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:25 a.m.
I have been convinced by posts here that this is a case of actual excessive noise and not a case of overly sensitive neighbors. I will point out that according to the Humane Society, 39% of households have a dog. I'll bet that most of those households don't have any trouble with their neighbors. http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics.html The problem with forcing everyone to always get their neighbors permission to own a pet is that it gives way too much power to the neighborhood curmudgeons. My own neighbors have barking dogs but the dogs are not left outside at night and they don't bark for long periods of time, i.e. they are examples of normal dog noise so I don't have a problem with them nor would any reasonable sort of person. I actually think that this particular situation is being handled as well as possible. The court will get to decide if the barking is actually excessive (and from the accounts in the comments here, it sounds like the barking is excessive) and hopefully the irresponsible dog owner will be forced to remedy the situation in a manner which satisfies everyone. It also wouldn't be terrible if she were forced to pay monetary damages to her neighbors as well as a deterrent to anyone else who allows their dogs to bark outside 24/7.
bunnyabbot
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:21 a.m.
after a year of moving into my house I passed my neighbor while walking my dog. He said that when they saw me moving in and saw my dog he and his wife worried about barking as they like to use thier backyard and pool often, but then commented he was relieved that they hardly ever heard my dog barking. He was surprised a big dog was so quiet. I said, well he barks when he feels he has to and if it went on too long I certainly couldn't live with it, he just barks when he feels it's his duty... But then I play, excercise, train (engage him mentally) several times a day which makes him a relaxed dog, he is included in family stuff/socialized so knows how to be a good boy. Dogs in general are smart, and like kids you'll get back what you put into them. My neighbors have since increased the size of their deck and occasionally their sons dog comes over, and the dogs will run back and forth along the fence and the other dog barks more and can be heard barking from inside their house. And my neighbors cigar smoke bugs me more b/c I will have to close my window. I feel bad for the six dogs, thier owner is an idiot.
treetowncartel
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:19 a.m.
Anyone have an idea about the remedy the City is asking for in the Complaint? Or, is that too much to ask for here.
bunnyabbot
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:12 a.m.
after a year of moving into my house I passed my neighbor while walking my dog. He said that when they saw me moving in and saw my dog he and his wife worried about barking as they like to use thier backyard and pool often, but then commented he was relieved that they hardly ever heard my dog barking. He was surprised a big dog was so quiet. I said, well he barks when he feels he has to and if it went on too long I certainly couldn't live with it, he just barks when he feels it's his duty... But then I play, excercise, train (engage him mentally) several times a day which makes him a relaxed dog, he is included in family stuff/socialized so knows how to be a good boy. Dogs in general are smart, and like kids you'll get back what you put into them. My neighbors have since increased the size of their deck and occasionally their sons dog comes over, and the dogs will run back and forth along the fence and the other dog barks more and can be heard barking from inside their house. And my neighbors cigar smoke bugs me more b/c I will have to close my window. I feel bad for the six dogs, thier owner is an idiot.
Rasputin
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 11:08 a.m.
I think folks are entitled to have as many pets as they want provided: 1. They don't bother neighbors, 2. Are properly maintained and cared for, and 3. Do not pose a danger to others. In other words, ask your neighbor to move to the country!
Dave66
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 9:57 a.m.
My dog would bark and bark if I left him out in the yard by himself. It was because he didn't like being out by himself. I think he was lonely and wanted me to be with him. The solution was to not leave him out by himself. I think the excessive barking may be due to neglect (maybe too strong a word) or at least indifference. The dogs sound anxious to me, like they're not being well cared for. The problem is with the owner, not the dogs.
Dave66
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 9:49 a.m.
When I was looking for a house to buy, I looked on Revena Place. Too bad for those people that I ended up living somewhere else. I'm pretty quiet. :)
WillS
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 9:16 a.m.
I always find it interesting that dog owners feel it is some how the duty of others to tolerate their animals. If I wanted to deal with barking or feces in the yard then I would have a dog. Is it not the responsibility of dog owners to keep their animals from disturbing others?
michigan48103
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 8:18 a.m.
If the lady feels that she can find a perfect place to live, she needs to move to it. No matter where you live in Ann Arbor you will find a dog or a cat near by. Try living in a Condo with thin walls and alot of dogs and the residents do not go by the rules at Scio Village Town Center Condos. The residents have more than one dog and they bark alot and I work the midnight shift at a hospital.
DebG
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 8:10 a.m.
The bottom line is, because there are so many irresponsible/ignorant dog owners, there is a need for better laws governing the acquisition of dogs, dog ownership and dog breeding, and the laws actually need to be enforced. See http://newanimalcontrol.org/ It's unfortunate that such laws are needed because there are a lot of good dog owners, but there are a lot more irresponsible/ignorant dog owners and excessive/nuisance barking is such a widespread and harmful noise problem it needs to be addressed by laws & law enforcement before it even begins. No one should ever have to suffer for 1 day, 1 week, 1 month or years of being forced to hear someone else's dog barking excessively day & night. No one should ever be made to feel guilty about not wanting to hear to someone else's dog bark excessively; No one should ever have to spend their own money on ANYTHING to seek relief from someone else's nuisance barking dog; And certainly no one should ever have to fear retaliation because they don't want to have their lives severly disturbed by nuisance barking dogs.
SonnyDog09
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 8:05 a.m.
I'm curious as to why the city needs to file a lawsuit over this. If there is a law, then enforce it. That's why we give them badges and guns.
bob
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 7:50 a.m.
Regarding utilizing a bark collar. We used one on our doberman who would bark at every person, squirrel etc he could see when out in the yard. It worked for a while.....until the dog learned how to alter his bark to "bypass" the collar. He learned to bark at a higher pitch in a howling like pattern. It was worse than the barking so we discontinued the collar. However, being a responsible pet owner I did call the dog into the house everytime he barked for more than a minute or two.
susan
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 7:37 a.m.
Maple has a good point. If the city of Ann Arbor does not have a max allowance for dogs, they should. Call your lame 5th ward council reps and have them create an ordinance. It is absolutely ridiculous to keep that many dogs in a little back yard in the city. The smell alone must be off putting.
Otto
Tue, May 18, 2010 : 7:19 a.m.
Problems at Dicken, problems at The Big House, now problems on the west side. Now I am convinced there is an evil conspiracy that involves the disruption of the underground stream on Stadium. :)
Petunia
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 11:37 p.m.
I am one of the people who have called the police in regards to the noise on Revena. There is strength in numbers; the more neighbors complaining the more likely there will be results. I have noted many of comments are emotion driven. Quite a few people have "nuisance" dog stories and maybe it's time this issue is addressed by the general public. However, only a few offered an easy intervention, an anti-bark device. At the top of this article a advertisement for the Bark-Off device was featured. There are many other devices on the market. Friends have told me of two very effective anti-bark collars. One comes in an electrical style; the dog gets a mild shock when it barks and there is also one that emits a puff of citronella; the disagreeable odor stops the barking. This seems an easier solution than engendering the wrath of your neighborhood, having the police repeatedly at your door and finally being served with a law suit.
DebG
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 9 p.m.
I'm not sure that a limit on the number of dogs would mean much in some cases, depending on the dog(s) and the owner. I live next to one dog that practically ruined my life. First of all the dog is a schnoodle - a schnauzer/poodle mix, 2 breeds that can be extreme barkers in the hands of an idiot or an inexperienced dog owner. My neighbors are so ignorant that they could not even housetrain the dog and would not seek professional help (even when we offered to pay for it), so they put him out in the yard 24/7. To add to the problem, when the dog indulged in undesireable behaviors, such as barking, they would give the dog a treat to distract him from whatever he was barking at, which could have been anything and anyone, thus enforcing the behavior, and they are so stupid they said the dog just wouldn't listen and just gave up, left him in the yard and let him bark and bark and bark... If the limited number of dogs was 2 per household, these people would be within the legal limit. What then? For some people's dog owning abilities, just one dog is too many. On the other hand, I have a friend who has 4 dogs, all well behaved, well exercised, get plenty of attention, and are always inside at night, and only bark on the rare occasion when a bark or 2 is appropriate. So should my friend and her 4 good, quiet dogs be penalized if the legal limit is 2 dogs?
Kat
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 8:58 p.m.
Scroll down to Arizona and Pima County. http://mnlreport.typepad.com/the_monthly_national_legi/2009/01/january-2009.html These neighbors must do what I decided to do. Change the law. http://www.kvoa.com/news/noisy-animals-could-land-you-in-court/ For more information about setting up a "Quiet Community" in your area email "Quiet Arizona." http://www.quietarizona.org
huh7891
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 8:41 p.m.
Moose, your neighbor uses a leaf blower to fluff his grass after mowing...seriously?? Sounds like this person has way too much time on his hands.
thinker
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 8:10 p.m.
No, Vivian, there is no limit in the ordinance. Don't you think Council should set one? What is reasonable in a city home? One, two, three? Surely not SIX!
A2@Heart
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 7:59 p.m.
I feel so bad for these neighbors. I lived in an apartment with a house behind us that had barking dogs at all hours of the night. It drove me nuts! I am usually a very noise tolerant person. Mind you, I was a college student at the time. So there was no shortage of parties, music, talking, etc. No big deal. Expected and fun. However, constantly barking dogs at all hours...there is NOTHING that compares. It's like a fly in your ear that won't stop buzzing. I loved our apartment, but after a year decided to move. The noise was that bad. It really does make you feel nuts calling the police, but sometimes at 3am when all you want to do is sleep, sounding crazy is the last thing that you care about. It became the topic of conversation with everyone who lived around us. I couldn't see any reason to stay. So for anyone who thinks she is just complaining. Honestly, this is just one of those situations where you have to live in it to understand. I feel so sorry for her that it has taken this long before someone has decided to deal with it.
rrt911
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 7:54 p.m.
mi4819 I cannot believe you can make light of this. Sleep disturbances are quite serious and have a determental effect on daily activities. This is not something you can just "ignore". I love dogs, but this is insane! 3 years of this?????? Really???? Maybe mi4819 could take the dogs between 10 p and 7a.
ypsicat
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 7:35 p.m.
All of you people making snide comments about Ms. Pasich's countenance need to get a clue, or move in next to a bad neighbor with barking dogs. It is hell on earth. It's stressful. Here in Ypsi I live next door to someone with dogs who barked, and I went next door to speak to them about their barking dogs and they were like, Oh, so sorry, it won't happen again. But it did happen again regularly and as much as I hated doing it I called the police, who were very nice about being bothered with barking dogs. I don't know what happened, but that was pretty much the end of the problem (Yay, Ypsi!) I've never seen these people out walking their two dogs which is probably the best cure. I haven't seen the dogs either, hopefully they are in a good home now. It's not the dog's fault, it's the owner's, as others have already said.
Vivienne Armentrout
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 7:01 p.m.
If I read the ordinance correctly, there is no limit on the number of dogs one may keep.
DebG
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 6:55 p.m.
I feeeeel their pain. I really do. I've lived next door to a barking dog (that was allowed to bark sometimes for hours in the middle of the night in addition to a good part of the day) with rude owners for well over 2 years in a city with weak ordinances and ineffective law enforcement. The police and animal control are useless, and the only thing that saved me was my neighbors' son moved back home and couldn't stand the barking either so began training the dog. I surely hope he's not planning to move back out anytime before the dog dies a natural death. This barking dog is absolutely the worst thing I've ever had to endure. I mean, this dog barked with such force and for such long periods that I was amazed he didn't kill himself by barking. People who don't sympathize with this situation are either owner's of nuisance barking dogs themselves, or have never lived next to a barking dog. I'd say they are more likely owners of barking dogs.
Hans Masing
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 6:47 p.m.
It's a good thing I had to get permission from all my neighbors on a signed form so that I could have my (nearly) silent backyard chickens. I mean, it's not like I have a dog or anything that is going to bark all night and wake people... uhhhh..... oh. nevermind, then.
thinker
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 6:24 p.m.
Ann Arbor used to have a 3 dog limit per household. figuring that more than that constitutes a kennel. Maybe city council needs to revisit this dog limit. What is it now? 6? No limit? I also think that an anti-bark collar should be required for any dog that remains in her household.
jcj
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 5:48 p.m.
For all you that think she is just a whiner! Wake up! The article says there were seven different neighbors that had complained! I think there are some in my neighborhood that don't like the sound of a lawn mower either. At least it would seem that way since their weeds are getting so high. ( That will be my next complaint to the city) @Marcy Where does it say in the city ordinance that I am required to try to make friend with a dog before complaining about the noise? Give me a break! What if your neighbors had noisy kids all ours of the day? Would you try to get to know them? Maybe you would offer to baby sit? @mi4198 How about you and women in Ypsilanti give us your addresses and some of us can drive by with our boom boxes going at 4am?
Tammy Mayrend
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 5:02 p.m.
I'm wondering if the city has a maximum number of dogs households are able to have (most cities do)? I also empathasize with the neighbors. My neighborhood has a very similar experience with a household of two dogs that bark at all hours of the day.
CountyKate
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 3:15 p.m.
This is clearly a case of an irresponsible dog owner. Wouldn't matter if there was only one dog, the owner is the problem. Responsible owners don't leave their pets out in all kinds of weather. Responsible dog owners don't allow their pets to continually bark. Responsible owners pick up after their pets. Excessive barking is a symptom. A symptom of a dog that does not get enough exercise or attention. It sounds like these dogs get neither. Their owner is negligent, at best. That she has not been brought to see the error of her ways after so many years and so very many complaints seems to show an aberrant social ability of her own. She cannot socialize her dogs if she, herself, is not sociable. Rather reminds me of that guy in Dearborn who had the 50+ Chihuahuas. Having tried various other methods to bring the owner to see the error of her ways, I think the lawsuit is perfectly appropriate.
Smiley
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 2:58 p.m.
"One noise I hate though is the sound of a lawn mower. If dogs barking is illegal, lawn mower sounds should be illegal too!" Should we all get a goat?
treetowncartel
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 2:51 p.m.
There are no bad dogs, just bad owners.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 2:42 p.m.
I wonder if Ann Arbor.com could have made it more clear in the original article that this isnt a situation with normal dog barking. The only hint in the original article was that sometimes the dogs bark at 4am. Ms Pasich's quote that the barking dogs were like someone parking in a driveway for 30 minutes kind of made her sound unreasonable. I mean who complains about a car parked in a driveway for 15-30 minutes even if the occupants are listening to music? The posts here by her neighbors are painting a very different story.
luvtreetown
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 2:34 p.m.
@marcy you are right barking a few minutes through out the day is certainly not a police matter. I am a dog lover / dog owner. In fact, there are three (until recently, four) other dogs on the court. They all bark from time to time, like when the mail person arrives, or another dog walks by, whatever. This is reasonable barking. A dog should bark when someone is in their yard, or when they are excited. I get that. What is unreasonable is when the dogs bark uncontrollably, specifically, my complaint is when it happens throughout the night. There is a privacy fence, so no luck on the suggestion to befriend them. The blinds are alway drawn, so other than the two that get out periodically, most of us have NEVER seen any of the others. Yes, this means they are never walked, never interact with anyone but the owner, who is also, obviously not well socialized. It is absolutely no fault of the dogs, and the person who suggested they are not adoptable and should be euthanized makes me sick. This is just irresponsible pet ownership, irresponsible neighbor.
Mick52
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 2:25 p.m.
Lawsuit sounds like a big response. Lets just swear Ms Pasich in as a Reserve Animal Control officer and give her a book of tickets. All she would need to do for evidence is to turn on a digital recorder pointed at the neighbors house.
ML07
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 1:59 p.m.
6 dogs in this neighborhood is way too much (Live nearby. I also don't understand people who leave dogs out at night- One of the joys is to have th dog in the house with you.\ Barking can be controlled - both the dogs and owner need some education
uawisok
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 1:50 p.m.
I'd blast barry mannilow music mixed with Muszac at her until she muzzled the mutts!
Macabre Sunset
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 1:33 p.m.
It's shameful that our city has ignored all these complaints. No one should have to live with that kind of noise. Seems kind of naive to compare a lawnmower running for one hour a week at a normal hour to a dog that can go off at any time for any length of time. Until you've had to live next door to an inconsiderate dog owner, you have no idea how bad it can be. I would rather people mowed their lawns every single day than deal with that again.
Captain Wow
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 1:31 p.m.
KRC: Why do you assume that these dogs are unadoptable and in need of being put down? Is it because they bark? Or is it the reports of snapping at a child and police? Both of those traits are fairly common in an animal that has been bread for thousands of years for the purposes of defense, security, and protection. It seems to me the owner has made little if any effort to train or control their dogs. A dog without discipline tends to react instinctively to stimuli, be it positive or negative. If a dog sees a neighbor (or squirrel, etc.) approaching its territory, it will bark as a warning. Get close enough to that same dog and it may view you as a threat, resulting in a snap. The owner is responsible for curbing the behavior of the dog at a young age in order to prevent these things from becoming a public nuisance (or danger). Maple: You are correct that dogs are very intelligent and require some sort of activity to keep them focused and happy. Again, dogs have been bred for a wide variety of purposes for over 10,000 years. I would argue that humans would have advanced throughout the world at a much slower pace had they not had all the benefits provided by well bred, trained dogs. With that in mind, how can you be puzzled regarding the reasons for people owning dogs? How about everything from work to companionship. To say "animals are not for us to lock up in homes and yards to be used as our entertainment" completely ignores the likelihood that most dogs (at least in a city like A2) is treated better than any of homeless people living on the streets of our fair city. It would be great if all dogs were fully stimulated and had jobs assisting the disabled or hunting or sniffing for drugs and bombs. Thing is, my family has owned dogs since I was 4 (now 37) and none of them have had any other job than that of being a member of the family and a friend, and all of them have lived long, happy lives being spoiled and doted on. Of course they might have been "miserable" but their wagging tails and bright, happy eyes would argue otherwise. Top Cat: I hope you dont have kids. And if you do have kids, I hope your kids play quietly in your backyard lest your neighbors share your same general philosophy regarding how to quiet annoying beasts.
Hello
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 1:11 p.m.
I'm really sorry for this lady and really sympathize with her situation. I totally understand her trouble with dogs barking. She'll only get grief for complaining though, few people in AA understand the frustration of living near barking dogs. They put the blame on the person complaining about the barking. Check out www.barkingdogs.net to understand all the negative impacts on health caused by chronic barking. Dog owners do not understand the misery the barking dog causes neighbors. I worry for her now that people know who is she is because dog owners get very mean, and I hope that she is not picked on now because she's been pushed to this point of frustration. Already people are writing comments putting her down. I hope she finds peace, but I don't think it will happen in Ann Arbor.
Wolverine3660
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 1:08 p.m.
Looks like this un-cooperative neighbor needs to have her dogs taken away from her,and the dogs retrained, and failing that euthanised.
Biscuithead
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:58 p.m.
Whiney? OMG. You have NO IDEA what these people are going through. This is not a dog yipping when he sees Judy or anyone else. This is SIX dogs left out alone all night (and sometimes all day) in all kinds of weather barking their heads off to the disruption of an entire neighborhood. They needn't be provoked. They just bark. And bark. And bark. And BARK. And BARK. AND BARK. AND BARK! AND BARK!!! All the freakin' time. For three and a half years. Want to live next door to THAT? Didn't think so.
Marcy
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:53 p.m.
Well, sound like a whiney neighbor to me. Dogs Bark! HELLO folks...a dog barking for a few minutes thru out the day is NOT a police case! However a dog barking for hours or for longer than a few minutes at night is a problem the owner should be correcting. It sure does not sound like this nieghbor tried to make friends with the dogs either, so they would know it was okay when they saw her... a bunch whiney Ann Arbor folks..thats all......
Michael O
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:53 p.m.
Did you only take one photo of Ms.Pasich?...
Biscuithead
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:52 p.m.
I agree that the first step in these situations should be to talk to the neighbor. However, this neighbor isn't "neighborly" to say the least. She has been belligerent from day one, and has called the other neighbors every nasty name in the book (including calling one of the sweetest retired school teachers I have ever met a "B"). You simply can't talk to this woman about anything. Not only is the barking a nuisance to the neighborhood, it's cruel and inhumane to leave six dogs outside barking all night long in all sorts of weather. I'm glad the city is finally taking action, since no amount of citations seem to have changed her behaviors. I hope she moves.
meetchro
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:52 p.m.
You know, it's just common courtesy to bring your dog inside if it's barking. That is what we do with ours - he gets maybe 30 seconds to chill out and then if he doesn't, he goes inside. He's only 7 months old, but he's figuring it out. I guess some people are just clueless and inconsiderate. @krc: excessive barking does not equal unadoptable and euthanasia. With consistent training and positive reinforcement, most inappropriate behaviors can be corrected or at least tempered. It's obvious this owner is not giving proper care/attention/training to her dogs and likely that is what is causing them to bark and act inappropriately. Though she is obviously an irresponsible pet owner (and terrible neighbor) and probably should have some (if not all) those dogs removed, NONE should be outright euthanized just because they bark. The thought of that makes me sick. I'd say this time, it's a case of blame the person, not the dogs. Hopefully if they do require her to turn the dogs over, they can be rehabilitated and adopted by families who will give them the love and care they need.
earthchick
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:46 p.m.
I am 100% sympathetic to Ms. Pasich and the other neighbors having to deal with this nuisance. @Ed - thank you for linking to the City Code. In Chapter 107, Section 9.48 (authority of an animal control officer), it indicates that an Animal Control Officer (which means in A2's case the police) has the authority to impound any animal causing a noise nuisance. I wonder why these dogs haven't been impounded? This shouldn't require a lawsuit - it's right there in the code.
SMAIVE
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:37 p.m.
While you're at it, send an email to each member of council and the city staff to document each time. Try an air horn, might prove just as useful as a can of nails. Why is it owners don't just keep them in the house, oh right, they disturb THEIR peace and quiet.
5c0++ H4d13y
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:34 p.m.
@NE Neighbor there is no animal control officer in ann arbor. It's call the cops or nothing.
luvtreetown
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:34 p.m.
In response to many of you questioning the reasoning for the lawsuit: I am a neighbor. Think about CONSTANT barking for three years, think about the fact that she left the dogs out OVERNIGHT while she worked the night shift, and also think about the fact that she will not answer the door and if she is out making a feeble attempt to corral the dog, she feels the need to cuss out anyone who approaches. She is not reasonable. And, in response to the question about Animal Control, we were told that it no longer exists in Ann Arbor. We have made calls to the Humane Society and have been repeatedly told that the calls to the police are our only option. As for the noises of life, believe me, we all have chosen to live in the city in very close quarters. There are many kids, playing, riding bikes, playing baseball...etc. We are a front porch community. There is a tree in the center of the court where kids have played for years. The complaint is not against the noises of life, it is against the barking, particularly when it goes on throughout the night.
MikeAA
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:31 p.m.
For my money, Id rather the city crack down on any and all dog owners who feel that excrement pollution left in public parks and on private lawns is an acceptable course of action. I could take a lot of barking before Id equate it with a dog-do covered softball or ruined pair of shoes.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:26 p.m.
@mi4198 I know! I am actually kind of surprised that Ms. Pasich allowed her name to be used in this story, especially with that picture accompanying the story which kind of looks like a stereotypical "sour puss" expression. I don't know her of course nor the situation. It is possible that the dogs were barking to a degree most people would consider unreasonable. But it has been my experience living in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti that residents of Ann Arbor seem to be more likely to get angry about stuff their neighbors do than residents of Ypsilanti. Of course maybe the reason people are relaxed about things like barking dogs in Ypsilanti is that we have other problems: like hookers and drug dealers.
NE Neighbor
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:26 p.m.
How about treating your neighbor nicely? We are in a very small community. Calling animal control expert first before calling police. Police can give out punishment to human, but only animal expert can help you deal with neighbor's dogs. If your purpose is to revenge, by all means, call police. If your purpose is to have a quiet neiborhood, think something else. Yes, we are angry because we don't get what we want, especially righteously deserved. Help our neighbors, even the ones who don't respect us.
tdw
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:25 p.m.
@Ed got it I was just curious
Tom Joad
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:23 p.m.
100% support this woman's nuisance suit. You're right to own a dog stops at my ears.
Top Cat
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:23 p.m.
God bless Judith for her patience and endurance but I would have thrown some raw steaks marinated in arsenic over the fence a long time ago.
Linda Peck
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:22 p.m.
We have this issue on Fair Street, too. If this is the City's biggest number of complaints, what is wrong with this picture? In fact, why has this problem taken so long to fix? It is outrageous. I blame City Hall for this and their weak stance on the issue. When I went to City Hall with this same problem, I found them to be totally unhelpful. The fact that Revena Place has had to put up with this for three years is just intolerable. What about issuing tickets, fines, etc.? City Hall, let's go on this problem in our neighborhoods!
mi4198
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:19 p.m.
Doesn't this woman have anything better to do with her time. She is Mrs. Kravitz from across the street.
Woman in Ypsilanti
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:14 p.m.
I am just glad that my neighbors in Ypsilanti are more mellow about such things. They let their dogs bark and they let their children play outside making noise. Sometimes they listen to music while they are gardening. I like hearing the noises of life. Of course, my neighbors dogs don't wake me up or anything as they are generally only outside during the day. I might have a different opinion of 4am barking. One noise I hate though is the sound of a lawn mower. If dogs barking is illegal, lawn mower sounds should be illegal too!
tdw
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:13 p.m.
I'm not complaing here but I wounder how Thompson block is related to this story
justwondering
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:06 p.m.
Revena Place actually intersects Arborview Blvd, not Miller. There's a small footpath, I believe, that you can take to Miller.
Moose
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:05 p.m.
Add leaf blowers to the list of urban noise polluters that the city refuses to enforce. I have a neighbor that uses his to fluff his grass after mowing.
Maple
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:05 p.m.
**6 dogs?!** Doesn't the city have limits on the numbers of dogs a homeowner can have? The last town I lived in had an ordinance specifying a 3 dog limit in urban zones. I don't even know why most people keep dogs in the first place, animals are not for us to lock up in homes and yards to be used as our entertainment. Dogs are smart and need intellectual stimulation and jobs to do. The poor things must be miserable. BTW, I have used the soda can (filled with nails) method of dog training before, albeit not for barking. It worked very well for other things so trying it on barking might just work.
dading dont delete me bro
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:04 p.m.
milk jug + rocks = fail
krc
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 12:04 p.m.
She needs to be required to get the dogs fitted with bark collars by such-and-such a date. If she doesn't, off to HSHV to be declared unadoptable and then put down. I wonder if they all have current liscenses? Or if their shots are up to date? My guess is no. I also wonder why the barking stops for a week or so after the police visit? Does she not let them out? Ew. If she does let them out, then she does have some kind of control over them and should be required to use it. I feel for you, Judith and Cindi. My sister has hunting dogs who start up at the least provocation, and are worse than roosters announcing the dawn. The difference is, she lives out in the middle of nowhere and has no neighbors within acres. I visited her once. I don't know how she stands it. Oh wait. Yes I do. She loves their melodious voices. I couldn't wait to leave. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Keep pursuing this.
Janet Quay
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 11:47 a.m.
This is going on in a neighborhood in Pinckney (Livingston County) and it is driving us all nuts. We live on the lake and the noise these dogs are making just echoes. You cannot walk out into the back yard without them starting to bark; our son could not even move the back yard because the dogs got past their invisible fence and starting nipping at his ankles!!! I need to find out what the City of Pinckney will do about this.
kittybkahn
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 11:46 a.m.
In the meantime, the neighbors might try a trick that has worked for us in the past: Fill an empty tin can with rocks and, as soon as the dogs start barking, shake the can. The dogs will think their barking is causing the noise and will stop. You will have to repeat this a few times, but it really does work. Dogs don't like the noise and eventually will stop barking altogether.
actionjackson
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 11:40 a.m.
We have had a similar situation however the neighbor with the dogs has always complied with requests to put the dogs inside where they seem to calm down. Very strange that a person would do something so offensive and not even attempt to come to a solution with their neighbors. Hope the city will do something about it and give the neighborhood a break.
Rasputin
Mon, May 17, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.
The location is Revena Place at Miller Avenue.