Overview
Incessant barking can be very disturbing to the peace and quiet of a neighborhood. In addition, loud, persistent, barking violates the City of Centennial Municipal Code.

C.M.C. § 7-7-430. Noisy dogs.
“(a) It is unlawful to keep a dog which, individually or in combination with another dog or dogs together makes noise by loud or persistent or habitual barking, howling, yelping, or other unreasonable noise which is audible from an adjacent or nearby property for a continuous twenty-minute period. If such noises are separated by pauses, however slight, such pauses shall not toll the calculation of the twenty-minute period.”

Intiate a Complaint
To initiate a complaint regarding noisy dogs, the complaining party must complete and sign a complaint that contains the following information:

Once a valid complaint is received, CAS will issue the owner of the animal a warning. The owner will then be given seven days to address the problem.   If seven days have lapsed and the problem continues, the reporting party and a second witness from a separate household may sign a second complaint. Upon receipt of a valid second complaint a citation may be issued.

Why Dogs Bark
Excessive barking is something a responsible pet owner can and should control. Dogs normally bark to alert others, to request something, or because they are uncomfortable or bored. The dog owner should determine why the dog is barking and work to mitigate the undesired behavior. Suggestions are to try limiting the dog’s time outside, provide interesting chew toys and teach the dog to use them, take the dog on walks, make a digging pit, or use a visual barrier. These are all great ideas to control and reduce barking.