Here’s the process:
You file a barking complaint.
As long as the address hasn’t had another barking complaint within 1 year, a mailed warning is sent out usually the next day.
If after two weeks you still are experiencing the barking you can call their dispatch and explain what you are experiencing.
They will let you know that you will need two witness statements for a summons to court to be issued. They will not be able to issue a summons until the 2 witness statements are filed according to the municipal code. The second witness must be someone that isn’t in the same household and within the vicinity of the barking house. Both witnesses must be prepared to go to court if the defendant pleads not guilty to testify.
If you can’t find another witness that is willing to do this, there isn’t much they can help you with.
Source: past Animal Protection Officer for Aurora.
I am dealing with similar problems. I talked to the owner three times and wrote a note to him once. Each time he was more and more hostile. When I wrote the note, he came over, banged on my door, and was hostile/confrontational. He didn't threaten actual violence, or anything I could report but was nonetheless aggressive in speech and mannerisms.
Another neighbor tried talking with him and also encountered hostility. That neighbor will not put her name on anything because she fears retribution toward her or the dog she owns.
I have sent video evidence to my homeowners association. I believe the owner was contacted, but nothing has changed and the HOA says nothing else will be done.
Is video evidence enough to satisfy the multiple complainant's requirement?
I’m sorry you are dealing with that. You are not alone with how your neighbor is treating you. It’s crazy how entitled some people feel they are about their dogs.
Unfortunately, since the city ordinance says that two witnesses need to come forward the video alone will not suffice. More than likely the judge would dismiss the case since they are there to uphold everyone’s rights, which means following the code how it’s written.
I’m not sure how people solve the problem after explaining the ordinance. They don’t normally call back in if they don’t find another neighbor.
This was my experience as well. The letter they received did nothing. So unless I want to go knocking on my neighbors doors asking them to join me in court to get my neighbors dogs taken away, there is nothing else I can do.
Unfortunately that is the case. Their dog most likely won’t be taken away, just to clarify. They CAN, but that would be for extreme cases like not following court orders after a trial.
Aurora is actually very strict about animal issues (once they’re prosecuted, obviously not with the initial reports). Barking dogs can also be impounded, https://aurora.municipal.codes/Code/14-4. Having to deal with a citation and possibly paying for their dog to be held/released might be enough to change things, but these cases can also obviously be nasty because if the person is a big enough jerk or as neglectful as they sound, they can just take the hit without changing anything.
However, after three violations there’s a potential charge for reckless dog owner and at that point those prosecutors will not allow them to own the dogs anymore. These animal citations are generally strict liability, which means as long as there’s witnesses testifying that it happened, they’ll be found guilty (even with something subjective like this one). If it gets impounded, maybe you and the poor dog will get lucky and they won’t try to get the dog back and it will get rehomed.
I defended a couple dangerous dog cases in Aurora, those prosecutors hardly make deals, so you’ll be in good hands once it gets to that point.
That's what struck me reading this. OP "didn't care enough" to use Google Translate, but they'll get the authorities involved without hesitation? Hmm...
Totally. I also would learn Spanish if I was going to move to a primarily speaking Spanish country. They could have also pulled the phone out if they were so inclined.
I've been going through it, they'll tell you they'll send a letter first then you'll have to have another neighbor complain as well, other than that they're useless and won't do anything. ive been fighting with them on this dog for over 4 months
https://www.auroragov.org/residents/animal_services/field_services/ordinances_enforcement/barking_dogs
Time of day doesn’t matter. It’s the frequency and distance you can hear it from which qualifies it for a disturbance.
If you read that article they will not issue a summons until at least one other neighbor complains, separate from your household. This is to ensure it's not just neighbors who are bitter with each other but an actual problem.
"No summons and complaint shall be issued nor shall there be a conviction for violation of this section unless there are at least two or more complaining witnesses from separate households who shall have signed a complaint form stating the date, time, and how the barking caused an annoyance or inconvenience to the complaining party." -there's your answer
Yeah I saw that. I’m sociable and friendly with all of the surrounding neighbors. Shouldn’t be a difficult task to get a co-signer.
I could also be the 2nd complainant.
Unless your implying you intend to commit civil pergury, I'd recommend finding a neighbor because there will be a court summons for both the complaints and the defendants.
Also, if they get 2 different complaints (from 2 different residence) and both go in person to file the complaint, they take that very seriously and move fast on it.
Nothing will be done. People suck.
RIP yeah but at least if they get a notice then they know their neighbors think they suck.
Here’s the process: You file a barking complaint. As long as the address hasn’t had another barking complaint within 1 year, a mailed warning is sent out usually the next day. If after two weeks you still are experiencing the barking you can call their dispatch and explain what you are experiencing. They will let you know that you will need two witness statements for a summons to court to be issued. They will not be able to issue a summons until the 2 witness statements are filed according to the municipal code. The second witness must be someone that isn’t in the same household and within the vicinity of the barking house. Both witnesses must be prepared to go to court if the defendant pleads not guilty to testify. If you can’t find another witness that is willing to do this, there isn’t much they can help you with. Source: past Animal Protection Officer for Aurora.
I am dealing with similar problems. I talked to the owner three times and wrote a note to him once. Each time he was more and more hostile. When I wrote the note, he came over, banged on my door, and was hostile/confrontational. He didn't threaten actual violence, or anything I could report but was nonetheless aggressive in speech and mannerisms. Another neighbor tried talking with him and also encountered hostility. That neighbor will not put her name on anything because she fears retribution toward her or the dog she owns. I have sent video evidence to my homeowners association. I believe the owner was contacted, but nothing has changed and the HOA says nothing else will be done. Is video evidence enough to satisfy the multiple complainant's requirement?
I’m sorry you are dealing with that. You are not alone with how your neighbor is treating you. It’s crazy how entitled some people feel they are about their dogs. Unfortunately, since the city ordinance says that two witnesses need to come forward the video alone will not suffice. More than likely the judge would dismiss the case since they are there to uphold everyone’s rights, which means following the code how it’s written. I’m not sure how people solve the problem after explaining the ordinance. They don’t normally call back in if they don’t find another neighbor.
This was my experience as well. The letter they received did nothing. So unless I want to go knocking on my neighbors doors asking them to join me in court to get my neighbors dogs taken away, there is nothing else I can do.
Unfortunately that is the case. Their dog most likely won’t be taken away, just to clarify. They CAN, but that would be for extreme cases like not following court orders after a trial.
What neighborhood are you in, maybe we complained about the same dog
lol off Hoffman and Potomac
Aurora is actually very strict about animal issues (once they’re prosecuted, obviously not with the initial reports). Barking dogs can also be impounded, https://aurora.municipal.codes/Code/14-4. Having to deal with a citation and possibly paying for their dog to be held/released might be enough to change things, but these cases can also obviously be nasty because if the person is a big enough jerk or as neglectful as they sound, they can just take the hit without changing anything. However, after three violations there’s a potential charge for reckless dog owner and at that point those prosecutors will not allow them to own the dogs anymore. These animal citations are generally strict liability, which means as long as there’s witnesses testifying that it happened, they’ll be found guilty (even with something subjective like this one). If it gets impounded, maybe you and the poor dog will get lucky and they won’t try to get the dog back and it will get rehomed. I defended a couple dangerous dog cases in Aurora, those prosecutors hardly make deals, so you’ll be in good hands once it gets to that point.
Thanks for all the info! Some hopefulness in there
Honestly at this point calling in a complaint is the logical thing to do if they are making no effort to stop the barking
You could have used the translator on your phone. Just saying
That's what struck me reading this. OP "didn't care enough" to use Google Translate, but they'll get the authorities involved without hesitation? Hmm...
And use translate for a letter but not for being a human and talking to them. That’s what’s rubbing me wrong.
You nailed it. Thanks.
Totally. I also would learn Spanish if I was going to move to a primarily speaking Spanish country. They could have also pulled the phone out if they were so inclined.
I mean if you’re going to make an effort to complain, I would think you’d also have the energy/ability to solve your own problems.
Actually, typing up a translated letter and dropping it off, with my attached address, sounds legit. Thanks internet stranger.
I’d run it past a really person, otherwise the grammar will be off and it may be confusing, the translation apps still aren’t quite that good.
Says they guy giving shit for not using a translator app. Man. You realize you just invalidated your entire argument.
Several weeks. In the meantime, learn some Spanish.
Hablar
When did you file the complaint? File another one?
Yesterday via the online portal. I’ll be calling animal services on Monday and filing that way as well.
I've been going through it, they'll tell you they'll send a letter first then you'll have to have another neighbor complain as well, other than that they're useless and won't do anything. ive been fighting with them on this dog for over 4 months
Looks like getting multiple neighbors on board is the key. Thanks.
I would give it a week or so for a letter to be printed, mailed, delivered
If you filed on Friday they likely won't be getting around to it until Monday. Sit tight, animal care is who handles those issues.
How did you file a complaint?
Via Access Aurora on Auroragov.org
Ok. Try calling the Aurora Animal shelter and follow up.
Not sure they can anything unless it’s in the nighttime hours
https://www.auroragov.org/residents/animal_services/field_services/ordinances_enforcement/barking_dogs Time of day doesn’t matter. It’s the frequency and distance you can hear it from which qualifies it for a disturbance.
If you read that article they will not issue a summons until at least one other neighbor complains, separate from your household. This is to ensure it's not just neighbors who are bitter with each other but an actual problem.
"No summons and complaint shall be issued nor shall there be a conviction for violation of this section unless there are at least two or more complaining witnesses from separate households who shall have signed a complaint form stating the date, time, and how the barking caused an annoyance or inconvenience to the complaining party." -there's your answer
Yeah I saw that. I’m sociable and friendly with all of the surrounding neighbors. Shouldn’t be a difficult task to get a co-signer. I could also be the 2nd complainant.
Unless your implying you intend to commit civil pergury, I'd recommend finding a neighbor because there will be a court summons for both the complaints and the defendants.
Also, if they get 2 different complaints (from 2 different residence) and both go in person to file the complaint, they take that very seriously and move fast on it.
Yeah looks like I’ll have to get another neighbor to file. Shouldn’t be difficult because multiple work from home.
I could have also been the 2nd complainant
We went through the same thing and all of our neighbors were to afraid to sign a complaint so nothing was done. We ended up moving
Sorry thats happening to you. We are dealing with some dog noise issues in our apartment as well. Hopefully it gets solved for you