Of Barks and Bites
Dear Officer Michelle,
I read [a previous question] and have a very similar problem. I no longer know what to do. My situation is that I do know who is initiating the complaints [about my dog barking]. This has been going on for more than a year and my husband and I have received several complaints that our dog is barking. He does bark when people go by with a dog or the mailman. We tried everything to stop the barking, using sonic things, bark collars—every method they have out there. We didn’t want to because we feel it’s cruel but ended up having to have our dog debarked.
When a dog is debarked, the voice doesn’t go completely away, it’s muffled. That is the way he is now.
We received another complaint and after speaking with Senior Officer Pete Alarcon, he stated that there was nothing more that the neighbor could do to us. I’m completely stressed out because of this. I wish that I could just move but we do, in fact, own our home and financially can’t do it. I would love to get away.
I thought I wouldn’t receive any more letters; well, I just received another yesterday. I am trying to reach Mr. Alarcon but to no avail just yet. I don’t know what to do now.
I do feel completely harassed by this person. At one time, I did go onto the PD Web site to file an electronic complaint but at the end, it blipped out and it was just too much to go over again. There are many things that this neighbor has going on that are shady. My husband and I do nothing to them and I just feel like I’m being chased out.
Do you have any suggestions for me?
Thank you,
Weary
Dear Weary,
I spoke to Susan Hayes who is a deputy city attorney with the city of Sacramento. She is an expert in handling complaints such as this. She assured me that you have done all you can do to attempt to resolve this matter.
There is simply nothing else you can do short of getting rid of your dog. There are no city codes that pertain to the confiscation of your dog since it is not a hazard or dangerous.
Susan suggested that you call the City Attorney’s Office at (916) 808-5346. I gave her your email and she may even contact you sooner.
There may be an opportunity for some type of mediation between the complainant, the city attorney’s office and the Sacramento Police Department. Keep me posted!
Officer Michelle