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Committee backs sending revised animal noise ordinance to council after debate on enforcement
Summary
The JNO committee reviewed a revised animal noise ordinance that borrows definitions and factors from other Wisconsin municipalities; police said the draft gives officers more tools though enforcement remains subjective. The committee voted to recommend the revision to the Common Council.
The JNO committee reviewed a proposed revision to the city's animal noise ordinance intended to clarify when animal-related sounds constitute a nuisance. Administrator Windy presented a draft prepared with attorney input that incorporated language used in municipalities such as Verona, Broadhead, Darlington, Racine and Green Bay to describe when noise "shall greatly annoy or disturb" a neighborhood or a considerable number of persons.
A staff drafter said he compiled and adapted language from several ordinances and added a reference to "people of ordinary sensibilities" to avoid overreach. He told the committee he included considerations from Green Bay such as volume, time of day, duration, and whether the owner had been previously warned.
Chief Kelly described the draft as an improvement that provided officers with clearer tools, while acknowledging that quality-of-life ordinances are inherently subjective. "These are never easy," he said, but added the draft helps distinguish neighborhood disturbances from isolated disputes. Committee members noted the ordinance's presumption that an owner or person in control is permitting the noise could aid enforcement.
A motion to send the revised animal noise ordinance to the Common Council was made, seconded and approved; staff will forward the ordinance language to the council packet for further consideration.
