Loud Animal Complaints
Endless noise from animals can be distressing for residents. When thoughtful and respectful communication with your neighbor about the disturbance doesn’t work, filing a criminal charge can be an option for you.
Before filing a complaint, We ENCOURAGE you to:
- Talk to the animal owner about the issue
- If you belong to a neighborhood or homeowners association, discuss the issue and potential resolutions with the membership and your neighborhood resource officer
The city ordinance addressing nuisances created by animals states:
It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or harbor within the urban county any animal, including, but not limited to, domestic pets, that repeatedly or frequently emits any sound, including but not limited to barking, yelping, howling, meowing, or squawking, or that otherwise creates a noise disturbance across a dwelling unit boundary, in such a manner so as to annoy or disturb a reasonable person of normal sensitivities.
Lexington-Fayette County, Code of Ordinances, Section 14-72 (10)
The offense is punishable by FINES ONLY beginning at $50 with a graduating scale up to $500.
We cannot seek remedies directly against the animal, such as:
- Requiring a muzzle or other noise prevention devices to be worn;
- Restricting the animal to indoors
Before filing a complaint, We REQUIRE you to:
- Keep a log of the date, time, and duration of the noise;
- Maintain video/audio records of the offensive noise. Without a video and/or audio recording of the offensive noise, the chances of a conviction at trial are minimal.
- Once you have completed steps 1-2 above, call our office to schedule an appointment to file the charges.
- Hunter Faulconer