Can you sue your neighbor for their barking dog in Georgia? Who does the law protect?
If your neighbor’s dog barks incessantly, they may be in violation of local ordinances concerning pets.
Muscogee County has criteria for “responsible pet ownership,” which demands that owners “control the pet so that the pet does not cause a nuisance or unsanitary conditions for the neighborhood or community.”
If the dog’s barking becomes a problem, you have recourse. However, before you escalate matters to the authorities, it’s advisable to try to speak to your neighbor to keep the peace. They may not understand the extent to which their dog is becoming a nuisance and may be willing to remedy the situation without involving law enforcement.
However, if reaching out to the dog owner doesn’t work, there are some things you can do to get the situation under control.
First, you should document the issue with a detailed log of barking incidents that includes dates, times and duration. Audio and video evidence is convenient for this matter. This will be valuable if you decide to file a formal complaint.
Review the local ordinances
There are specific regulations about nuisance barking in Columbus, and a dog is considered to be in violation if any of the following occurs:
It is not confined by a fence, chain or other suitable means on the owner’s property
There is no responsible person present to control the animal
It has been observed on public or other private property without voice control
Contact Animal Control
Despite recent troubles with the Columbus Animal Control, they will still be your best course of action to file a complaint.
During business hours, call the administrative office at 706-653-4512 (Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
For after-hours complaints, call 911 and request an Animal Control Officer
Pursue Legal Action
While it is always best to try to resolve matters with your neighbor directly, it may not always be possible. You can file a nuisance suit in small claims court claiming the dog’s excessive barking “interferes with your use and enjoyment of your home.”
A small claims suit is filed in the Magistrate Court and can sometimes result in monetary compensation, but not much else. A judge can’t issue an injunction to stop the dog’s barking, but punitive damages might force your neighbor to take action.
If you suspect an animal is being abused or is in danger, contact the authorities immediately. The responding agency is required to investigate reports of animal cruelty.
