Q: What are my rights as a dog owner against false complaints?
When I let my dog out at night 10:30-midnight and he barks my neighbors complain (two of them - who have "ganged" up on me). (One neighbor says he wakes up her son and he can't go back to sleep.) My dog may only bark for a few seconds before I bring him in. (I stand in the doorway to watch him do his business and bring him in immediately!) I spoke to the Animal Control Officer yesterday when he came to my house about the complaints. I explained the situation and he seemed to understand. He called back the woman and she said I was lying, that I had left the dog outside the prior evening for 20 minutes -- a total lie. What do I do? The Officer said he would have to summon and fine me. What are the laws?
A:
If upon affirmation in writing, signed by a resident of this town, and after investigation by the animal control officer or a police officer, that officer has cause to believe that an animal, whether licensed or not, is a habitual nuisance by reason of trespassing, howling, barking or making other noise, causing damage to property, being vicious or by its actions potentially vicious or in any other manner causing undue annoyance, the officer shall serve notice upon the owner or keeper of the animal that the nuisance must be abated within a period not to exceed three (3) days after the service of the notice.
https://library.municode.com/ri/south_kingstown/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIIICOOR_CH3ANFO_ARTIIDOCA_S3-22CACODO
1 user found this answer helpful
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
