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Resident urges city action after three years of persistent dog barking
Summary
At the Jan. 12 Committee of the Whole meeting a Washington resident described three years of repeated daytime and nighttime barking that she says has disrupted her sleep and work; another neighbor said calls to the landlord and police have not solved the problem. Staff said the issue will be discussed by staff the next morning.
Bridal Hood told the Committee of the Whole on Jan. 12 that a neighbor’s dog at 414 Ernest has been waking her multiple nights a week for roughly three years and that prior calls to the landlord and to police have not produced a lasting fix. “I need my sleep,” Hood said, describing repeated episodes that woke her at 2 a.m. and again at 4 a.m.
Kate Mulford, who identified herself during the public comment period, said she has worked from home and sometimes must wear AirPods because “the dog barks all day long, all night long.” Mulford said she and other neighbors have recorded the barking, placed multiple calls to the police and spoken with city staff, but that officers told them daytime enforcement options are limited.
Council members asked staff for follow-up. A council member said staff will discuss the matter the next morning, and city staff present encouraged residents to continue submitting contact information and any recordings or documentation of incidents. Mayor's office and staff did not announce a specific ordinance or timeline during the meeting.
Why it matters: Persistent noise complaints can affect workers, shift employees and residents’ health and quality of life; neighbors said the issue has persisted despite repeated calls to the landlord and to police. The council’s immediate response was to ask staff to review options and report back.
Next steps: City staff indicated the complaint will be reviewed at the next staff meeting and that residents who provided contact information will be followed up with about possible enforcement steps or code options.
