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Residents complain of nightly barking; board directs attorney to draft ordinance amendment
Summary
Two homeowners told the Silver Creek Township Board that persistent dog barking is harming their quality of life; the board voted to have the chair and township attorney draft an amendment to limit dog barking during nighttime hours and will review proposed language in February.
Chair Mike Helman moved the meeting’s dog‑ordinance item to follow the open forum and the board then heard two residents describe a neighborhood barking dispute. A homeowner at 12946 County Rd 8 said the problem “was getting worse,” saying the dogs’ noise has affected their quality of life. Another homeowner at 12986 County Rd 8 said their animals “are protecting their sheep,” that fencing confines their dogs, and that barking had decreased.
After reviewing sample ordinances from Southside, Clearwater and Rockford Townships, supervisors discussed whether a time‑based quiet rule should apply across the township and how such a rule would affect farms and outside‑development properties. Supervisor Ryan Nelson moved, and Supervisor Andy Christensen seconded, to have the chair work with the township attorney to draft an amendment to the current dog ordinance that would prohibit dogs from barking during a nighttime window (the board discussed either 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. start times through 6 a.m.). The motion carried 4–0. The board said it will review the proposed language at its first meeting in February unless the attorney cannot present changes by then.
The item was presented as a policy drafting step only; the board did not adopt final ordinance language at this meeting.
