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Pennsylvania State Police Can't Enforce Town Ordinance Against Barking Dogs. Town Enforcement Officers Can enforce it - Or They Could - But There Aren't Any - So They Can't Do It Either.

Barking dogs ordinance Unlikely in Horton Township

Ridgway Record - Ridgway, Pennsylvania - October 14, 2004

The Horton Township supervisors discussed the possibility of a barking dog ordinance and set a date and time for trick-or-treating at yesterday's meeting.

"Everyone has a right to own a dog, but neighbors surrounding the area have a right to peace and quiet," supervisor Rick Genevro said.

Residents on Whetstone Road are having a contentious dispute over one family's dogs, including allegations that a neighbor throws firecrackers and will turn on his ATV, run the engine and turn the vehicle off. This is done to either rile the dogs up or frighten them into silence, depending on how the resident recounting the allegations view the matter.

According to the supervisors, a complaint of disorderly conduct could be called into the state police in response to dogs barking, but state police have no jurisdiction to enforce township ordinances. The township has a noise ordinance, but the supervisors would have to appoint an enforcement officer to handle violations of that or a new ordinance.

The supervisors urged the residents to resolve the matter on their own, and suggested a fence may be an appropriate barrier.

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