Wilton Manors Chases Its Tail On Pet Noise Policy

Barking. Whining. More barking.

A dog may be a man’s best friend but can also be a neighbor’s pet peeve. Wilton Manors commissioners are trying to figure out a workable solution to persistently loud dogs.

The key word is “workable.”

The proposal on the table would require time-stamped video, with audio, of the dog barking for 20 minutes straight without stopping for more than 45 seconds.

The electronic evidence would need to be submitted along with a sworn affidavit. Then city staff would review the evidence and then could move to investigate the complaint.

That’s a lot. It’s a lot for the aggrieved party, and it’s a lot for city staff.

In recent years, there have been about two dozen complaints a year. Most are from neighborhoods of single-family homes (most housing associations have their own, stricter rules). The proposal was met with skepticism from Vice Mayor Mike Bracchi, who is an attorney.

“We’re trying to solve a problem that doesn’t exist. There’s only a handful of cases a year. We’re trying to fix an anomaly. It makes no sense.”

The ordinance passed 4-1, with Bracchi dissenting. It will come back for a second reading.

In other business, Utilities Manager David Archacki said the sewage overflow issue on Fifth Avenue is being addressed.

Currently, frequent runovers push up a manhole and spill into the streets. He says a new force main with a larger diameter will push waste up to 26th St. to a manhole by the library.