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Findlay adopts expanded animal-noise ordinance after public debate
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 20‑25‑133 on animal noise (repealing and replacing Findlay code section 505.09) after public comment from residents and attorneys. Supporters cited recurring dog and animal complaints; opponents raised constitutional and enforcement concerns but council adopted the ordinance by roll-call vote.
On Nov. 5 Findlay City Council adopted Ordinance 20‑25‑133, a revised animal-noise ordinance that replaces the prior dog-focused section of the municipal code. The adoption followed public comment from residents and a local attorney who said the draft could be constitutionally vulnerable if it allowed complaints from “any person near” a property rather than restricting complainants to neighboring property owners.
City staff and the municipal prosecutor said officers respond to recurring noise complaints and presented data (during committee) that the department receives multiple animal-noise complaints weekly. Staff described the new ordinance as a pragmatic update to cover all animals rather than only dogs, after residents questioned why some animal types were treated differently under prior code.
Despite legal concerns raised by several public speakers and some council members, the ordinance was adopted by roll-call vote. The city prosecutor recommended the police department track complaints and the mayor’s office said staff would consult with the prosecutor and law director to ensure the ordinance is applied consistent with constitutional limits and prosecutorial guidelines.
Ending note: Residents urged clear operational definitions (who may complain and what constitutes actionable noise); staff committed to clearer complaint-handling guidance.
