DAPHNE, Ala. (WPMI) If you have a loud dog, the fine for its barking is about to go up. The Daphne City Council voted Monday night to raise the noise ordinance fine by an additional $100 for a loud dog.
As Local 15 News was working on this story, we found one of the repeat offenders is someone you wouldn't expect. A county top law enforcement official has pleaded guilty a number of times to animal ordinances in the last five years.
Barking dogs in the middle of the night have been a problem in Daphne, specifically in the Lake Forest subdivision. One neighbor, Bill Boor has been on the case since 2009. Boor says jacking up the fines for barking dogs was the only way to get people's attention. One neighbor in particular.
"Because this particular neighbor had over 10 tickets written by the police and had paid in excess of $1,500 in fines to the city," said Boor.
That neighbor happens to be Baldwin County's District Attorney Hallie Dixon.
"She chose to just keep paying fines. She would never appear before the judge, so we had to do something," said Boor.
Dixon, who was busy preparing for trial issued this statement Tuesday: "I have outfitted all the dogs with anti-bark collars, and that seems to have taken care of the barking that may have occurred when I work late."
Dixon's run-in with animal control along with other offenders pushed the council to act Monday night. A barking dog will now cost you $100,up from $15.
"It's nothing new having it elevated by a hundred, 250 for the second offense and 500 for each additional offense and court. It's common practice and a lot more common than people think," said Pat Rudicell with the Daphne City Council.
Dog owners like Rebecca Schroeder don't like it.
"I think it's a good idea that they are putting some sort of limit on it but to have it so much $100, its a little ridiculous," said Schroeder.
Bill Boor said he hasn't heard a bark since October coming from Dixon's home. "I've also had some friends that live elsewhere in the subdivision have the same problem and weren't getting it solved," said Boor.
The new ordinance calls for a mandatory court appearance after a the third time.
