{"id":612,"date":"2020-07-16T00:52:33","date_gmt":"2020-07-16T00:52:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/animalservices.venturacounty.gov\/?page_id=612"},"modified":"2026-03-10T15:41:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T22:41:52","slug":"nuisance-complaints","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/animalservices.venturacounty.gov\/de\/nuisance-complaints\/","title":{"rendered":"Beschwerden \u00fcber Bel\u00e4stigungen"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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NUISANCE<\/strong> is defined as:\u00a0 “Excessive barking that deprives others of the comfortable enjoyment of their homes. \u00a0When the barking is loud, frequent and continues over a long period of time, it is legally defined<\/a> as a \u201cPublic Nuisance\u201d.\u00a0 PLEASE NOTE:\u00a0 occasional barking is not<\/b><\/u> a nuisance.<\/span><\/p>

Before completing a nuisance complaint form<\/strong>, please try to work things out on your own as you will need to live near your neighbors for a long time.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Before you file a complaint or leave a spiteful note in their mailbox or on their door, remember, you’ll need to live near them for a long time, so remain calm and give the owner the benefit of the doubt. \u00a0Studies show that pet owners are often unaware their dog barks, for example, when they leave for work, so let them know. \u00a0But bring it up delicately, perhaps when you see them taking out the trash. \u00a0If you are<\/b> angry, they\u2019ll get defensive and they won\u2019t listen. \u00a0If you are part of an HOA (Home Owner’s Association) you can contact them to make them aware anonymously.<\/p>

Consider leaving them a nice note. \u00a0Here’s an example!<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Dear Neighbor,<\/span><\/p>

I wanted to let you know that your dog misses you when you are away and he tends to bark quite a bit until you return home. \u00a0I am an animal lover also, and I wanted you to know he misses you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I was wondering if it would be possible to keep him indoors when you\u2019re away.\u00a0 While the occasional barking is understandable, it has become somewhat of a regular occurrence.<\/span><\/p>

Your Friendly Neighbor!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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If communicating with your neighbor has not stopped the nuisance, complete a\u00a0Complaint Form<\/strong>\u00a0below. \u00a0VCAS will verify all of the information, check the license and vaccination status of all animals involved, and send a letter to the animal\u2019s owner. \u00a0You will not be named in the letter. \u00a0The letter is mailed and will state that a complaint has been received. \u00a0It will explain the city\u2019s ordinance regarding, in this case, barking dogs. \u00a0The letter will request voluntary compliance within seven (7) days<\/strong>, and will state potential further enforcement steps that may be taken if the issue is not resolved.<\/p>

After a reasonable amount of time, if the barking persists, contact Ventura County Animal Services a second time.\u00a0 A citation may be issued<\/a> pursuant to county ordinance 4467-12 provided the complaint meets or exceeds the parameters indicated in the ordinance. \u00a0 Please remember that occasional barking is not consider a “nuisance<\/a>.”<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Process to Declare a Dog a Public Nuisance<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) enforces local ordinances mitigating the ownership or maintenance of a Potentially Dangerous or Vicious dogs in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County and in the cities of Camarillo, Fillmore, Ojai, Port Hueneme, Simi Valley and Ventura. \u00a0The ordinances, while different in varying degrees, all address certain animal activities that can be construed as potentially dangerous or vicious behavior such as, infliction of injury to a person or other animal, and vicious or threatening behavior. \u00a0Please read the ordinance for your jurisdiction in its entirety before proceeding further.\u00a0 CLICK HERE TO VIEW ORDINANCES<\/a>.<\/p>

  1. If you are involved in an incident where you and\/or your animal was injured by another dog or you had to take defensive action to protect yourself or your pet, you can file a complaint by calling (805) 388-4341 or by completing the Complaint form below. \u00a0In order to proceed, the criteria set forth in the ordinance must be met<\/u>. <\/strong><\/li>
  2. Along with submitting the Complaint form, you and any co-complainant(s) are able to submit valid evidence that corroborates the incident. This can be in the form of date and time stamped video, photos or audio, witness statements, medical records, etc. \u00a0\u00a0<\/li>
  3. Upon receipt of the completed Complaint Form and corresponding evidence, an Animal Control Officer will be assigned to investigate the case. A letter will be sent to the animal owner informing them that a complaint has been received. If there is probable cause that a dog\u2019s behavior may fall under the definition of a Potentially Dangerous or Vicious Dog, a hearing may be scheduled to determine if the dog(s) are potentially dangerous or vicious.<\/li>
  4. If any party in the action is unable to attend the hearing at the date\/time scheduled, they should immediately contact VCAS.<\/li><\/ol>

    At any time during the process, if the situation is resolved and a complainant wishes to withdraw their request for a hearing, please contact VCAS immediately. \u00a0The complaint will remain on file but inactive for a period of one (1) year<\/strong>. \u00a0Should the situation reappear, the complainant need only send in an updated barking log and a written request to reinstate his\/her complaint. After one (1) year, if we do not receive any further correspondence or complaints on the matter, the case will be considered closed and the files purged.<\/p>

    DEFINITIONS:<\/b><\/p>

    For the purposes of Section 4470<\/a>, et seq., unless the context otherwise requires,<\/p>

    (a) The term “potentially dangerous dog” means any of the following:<\/p>

    (1) Any dog which, when unprovoked, on two (2) separate occasions within the prior thirty-six (36)-month period, engages in any behavior that requires a defensive action by any person to prevent bodily injury when the person and dog are off the property of the owner or keeper of the dog.<\/p>

    (2) Any dog which, when unprovoked, bites a person causing a less severe injury than the injury defined in Section 4470-3<\/a>, subdivision (c).<\/p>

    (3) Any dog which, when unprovoked, on two (2) separate occasions within the prior thirty-six (36)-month period, has killed, seriously bitten, inflicted injury, or otherwise caused injury attacking a domestic animal off the property of the owner or keeper of the dog.<\/p>

    (b) The term “vicious dog” means either of following:<\/p>

    (1) Any dog that, when unprovoked, in an aggressive manner, inflicts severe injury on or kills a human being.<\/p>

    (2) Any dog previously determined to be and currently listed as a potentially dangerous dog that, after its owner or keeper has been notified of this determination, continues the behavior described in Section 4470<\/a>(a), or is maintained in violation of Section 4470-9<\/a>.<\/p>

    (c) The term “severe injury” means any physical injury to a human being that results in muscle tears or disfiguring lacerations or requires multiple sutures or corrective or cosmetic surgery.<\/p>

    (d) The term “enclosure” means a fence or structure suitable to prevent the entry of young children, and which is suitable to prevent the dog from escaping. The dog shall be housed pursuant to Penal Code Section 597t.<\/p>

    (e) The term “impounded” means taken into the custody of the Division.<\/p>

    Nuisance<\/strong> – Excessive barking that deprives others of the comfortable enjoyment of their homes. When the barking is loud, frequent and continues over a long period of time, it is legally defined as a \u201cPublic Nuisance\u201d.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t

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