Noise Nuisance Complaints

(NOTE: Animal Services is unable to take Barking Dog/Noise Nuisance Complaints via telephone).

Sometimes pets annoy others and the pet owner isn't aware of the problem. If you have a problem with a pet in your neighborhood, try the following steps:

1. Talk to your neighbor. Explain the problem and offer solutions. Sometimes pet owners aren't aware of special sleeping patterns or noise problems of your home.

2. You may print our Helpful hints and barking dog letter (letter is in PDF format. You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader from our Agency Statistics page) for you to mail to your neighbor. The letter is designed to help your neighbor understand the problem, and offers some ideas about dealing with barking dogs.

3. Neighborhood Mediation is another possible avenue for resolution. Sit down with a third party and talk about the issues. For Portland residents, you can call Resolutions Northwest (503-595-4890) www.resolutionsnorthwest.org . For conflict resolution services in Fairview, Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, and East Multnomah County, you can call East Metro Mediation (503-618-3247) www.greshamoregon.gov/mediation.

4. If there is still no resolution, you may print the petition (petition is in PDF format. You can download Adobe Acrobat Reader from our Agency Statistics page). The petition form must be signed by at least two other neighbors (Three people total). The date and times of violation must meet the guidelines set forth in chapter 13.305 B (5). (The dog must bark repeatedly for 10 minutes or intermittent episodes lasting a minimum 30 minutes). An inability to substantiate a violation with documented date and times will result in no action by Multnomah County Animal Services. If the form only has one complainant signature, there must be an accompanying audio or videotape for the date and time of the alleged violation. This audio or videotape must meet the above listed requirements. After you have completed the petition you may mail it in to Multnomah County Animal Services, Attn: Legal Aide Officer, P.O. Box 698, Troutdale, OR 97060 or you can bring it to Multnomah County Animal Services at 1700 W. Columbia River Hwy. in Troutdale. We will have our Legal Aide Officer available at the shelter on Thursday between 1pm and 3pm to go over your petition and help you file it. Complaints will be acted upon either by issuing a Notice of Infraction or by the Legal Aide Officer rejecting the complaint. The Notice of Infraction will be mailed by certified mail to the dog owner for each violation identified (with multiple Notices issued if more than one dog is identified.)

5. If the barking/noise nuisance continues, you can file additional complaints as future violations occur and additional Notice of Infractions will be served.

6. After three Notice of Infractions have been served, Multnomah County Animal Services will issue an Abatement order (at the Director's discretion based on at least one of the NOIs resulting in a guilty verdict), giving the dog owner 144 hours to abate the problem. Failure to abate the barking will result in either an immediate order to impound the animal or by issuing a citation into circuit court for failure to comply with the abatement order.

7. If the dog owner refuses to release the animal to Multnomah County Animal Services pending final resolution, MCAS will take immediate steps through the courts to obtain a search warrant and a court ordered impound enforcing the impound.

Any questions or concerns, please call customer service during telephone hours. Monday, Thursday and Friday 10:30am to 5:00pm. Wednesday 12:00pm to 5:00pm.

Thank you for your cooperation.