Noise Ordinance in Toms River, NJ

[pinkroses]

What a joke this town is. We have neighbors with a dog that has a very LOUD bark and this goes on ALL day long into the night. The police were contacted on several occasions but refuse to come out and investigate. We were told that we had to "sign a complaint" if a dog was bothering us. Yet someone told me that any noise that is annoying should be investigated no matter what time of day or night it is. I think the cops in Toms River are very selective as to when and if they decide to come out and investigate anything. It's pathetic. If you call Animal Control they tell you to call the police. If you call the police, they tell you to contact Animal Control. It appears to me that everyone is passing their responsibility onto someone else. Our tax dollars at work!

[Nobar King]

Do they come if you complain about a party? When they arrive, tell them you thought the dog next door was some kids partying.

[shoequeen]

We have done quite a bit of research when it comes to the noise ordinances in Toms River. Our entire neighborhood has discussed a very similar situation. As a matter of fact the very dirty and very ignorant neighbor to all of us has three dogs similar to your, sometimes more. We are all very tired of hearing them bark continually at all different hours of the day. Not only does the neighborhood have to put up with the barking animals, but the neighborhood also has to put up with the odors that permiate from the house from both their dirty backyard and their filthy house. The entire two block radius has called the police for the barking that begins at 5 am and then again all day when the owners are home. We have talked to a couple of the neighbors who have told us that they have contacted the police as well. We have gone down to Town Hall and our next step is to take them to court. Those of us who take very good care of our homes and take pride in our investment simply cannot understand why some people think it's ok to take away the value of another person's property by letting their stuff go. Now we understand that these same people rent out the lower level of their house. That one I do know there are ordinances against. As a matter of fact, no one can rent out a portion of a single family dwelling and receive rents on it without being considered a landlord. That one we are all looking into, especially since it could pose a nonsafe environment for the other neighbors in the general vacinity. A suggestion for someone who has the audacity and nonconsideration of the people who live around them is to purchase something that would keep the animals from barking, such as a collar for the dogs. BTW there IS a noise ordinance in Toms River that states that a dog that is barking for more than 10 minute intervals, the owner is subject to fines if the police are called numerous times, thereby wasting the time of the police department. The next step for us is to write to the Asbury Park Press after we've gone downtown to file a written complaint and let the Asbury Park Press look into it, since they live for this stuff. Maybe then the neighbor will knock it off and consider the people around them. No offense, but people have rights over dogs any day of the week and maybe you should be a little more considerate of your neighbors as well. Just a suggestion, since you "infringe on your neighbor's quality of life". I'm sure that they feel the same way that these two blocks feel when they have to hear these animals bark all hours of the day and night.

Originally Posted by nutz4dabeach

I don't know and I can't find anything either....but if you find out what the ordinance is can you let me know? i am in the same situation...we have 3 dogs and one likes to bark. We don't keep them out long...just long enough to go to the bathroom and run a bit but my uppity neighbors STILL complain. Mind you that I NEVER complain about THEIR dogs barking at 1 am nor do I stick my nose in their business.....but I still get letters in my mailbox, I get visits from animal control, the police...and I am at my wits end!!! I keep the dogs crated in the house all day and feel they should be allowed to live and run when we are home...apparently not but what ever!! Hell I even get calls when my dogs are barking INSIDE my house...LOL....talk about my neighbors infringing on MY quality of life huh????

[stevemorse]

I have neighbors with three dogs, they bark alot. What I did is have a relationship with the three dogs, I go over when they bark and play with them and then they stop for awhile!!!

[CuCullin]

I have a dog. Not for nothing, but nothing pisses me off more than dogs who bark constantly - get them some f'ing exercise. They aren't barking "for no reason", they are barking FOR a reason. Learn about your dog, take care of it, and it won't be a problem for you or anyone else.

[Carbro]

Originally Posted by merrick

I called the police and asked about the ordnance and all they could tell me was there was a noise ordnance on the books and it applies to all times of the day or night.

Next time -- every time -- they bring the lawnmower out . . .

No way is a pack of dogs louder than a lawnmower.

[stevemorse]

rev the v twin!!!

[ottomobeale]

Depends on how much barking. Ocasional barking? whatever.

When I lived in Cleveland, the neighbors 3 houses down had an Irish Setter that barked for hours.

It barked at planes, cars, trucks, birds, squirrels, the mailman, everything. Hours and hours of it.

Being a big city, the cops only showed up for doughnuts, parking ticket writing, or chainsaw fights. It was annoying.

[joe moving]

I agree with attheshore. If you have a dog and the only time they leave the house is to go in the backyard you might consider trying to take them out a little.

[Roselvr]

Originally Posted by merrick

I know what you mean. We finally met the neighbors who are calling the police all the time. They actually had the nerve to stop by and tell us they call because our dog has an annoying bark. They're a young couple, about 30-35 years old. They claim they can hear Harry barking while he's in the house and the windows are open. Too bad about that. I called the police and asked about the ordnance and all they could tell me was there was a noise ordnance on the books and it applies to all times of the day or night. All someone has to do is call and complain and they will investigate. What a waste of the taxpayers money. This neighbor lives behind us and three houses down. WTH is their problem? Annoying bark? Get over it. Harry's a Pomeranian, seriously. NJ is really working on improving all of our quality of life, not. Try to enjoy your beach, we do, but it's getting more difficult with every passing law.

I'm a dog lover and yes, there are dogs that bark and dogs that have an annoying bark. I know of 2 Corgies that have an annoying bark, yet another dog that barks that does not have the annoying bark.

You may not notice that he's barking in the house, maybe he's barking when you leave? Either way, it's possible they hear him.

The one dog I know barks non stop when the owners leave. I don't doubt they have no clue because no one has told them. The bad part is when they leave him outside while they are gone or leave windows open for him, everyone hears him. This one dog will bark if he hears my bathroom door close, that's how good his ears are. The bad thing is when they are gone till 10 pm, the kids in the neighborhood that have to go to bed & get up in the morning suffer.

I agree with those that say the barkers may be bored. If I'm outside, I will tell him to get the ball and he does.. he loves the attention.

While you may not like the barking law, it is there for a reason. I don't doubt that if it bothers one couple, it also bothers others. Most people don't know their town has such rules, I actually didn't until a year ago when I looked & lo & behold, it was sandwiched in something else.

I'm sorry you are having problems with the neighbors, but it's possible more neighbors will complain as well once they find out there are such laws.

Do what you can now to get a handle on it.