Connecticut regulates nuisance dogs through a statewide statute—but enforcement and complaint processes vary across towns. This guide outlines the overarching law (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 22‑363) and shows how specific towns implement it to address barking nuisances.
📜 Statewide Law – Applies to All Counties
- Connecticut General Statute § 22‑363: It’s illegal to own or harbor a dog that is a nuisance due to vicious disposition, excessive barking, or other disturbance :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
- Penalties: First offense is an infraction (fine up to $60); subsequent offenses are Class D misdemeanors (fine up to $100 or up to 30 days imprisonment), plus possible court orders for control or removal :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
📌 Municipal Examples by County
Hartford County – Town of Burlington
- Local enforcement of § 22‑363: defines nuisance as “excessive barking” or disturbance :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
- Complaint steps:
- 1st verbal warning from Animal Control; 48 hours to correct.
- 2nd written warning; bark log for 7–10 days.
- 3rd: $75 citation; contestable in court.
- 4th+: Misdemeanor summons if barking persists with new logs or evidence :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
Middlesex County – Town of Cromwell
- The town enforces § 22‑363; barking complaints managed through local Animal Control policy :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
New London County – Town of East Hampton
- East Hampton cites the statewide nuisance law regarding “excessive barking” and disturbance :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
- Residents are encouraged to follow § 22‑363 procedures for complaints.
New London County – City of Norwich
- Norwich uses a “Barking Dog Incident Log” aligned with § 22‑363 to track complaints and escalate enforcement :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
Other Towns – Simsbury, Hebron, Oxford, etc.
- Towns like Simsbury and Hebron embed § 22‑363 into their Animal Control policies :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
- In Oxford, authorities recently moved to take custody of over 30 nuisance dogs due to complaints about barking and overall neglect :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
🗺️ How Enforcement Varies Across Towns
| Town / County | Procedure for Barking Complaints | Potential Penalties |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington (Hartford) | Verbal warning → written warning + bark log → citation → misdemeanor summons | $75 citation, fines up to $100, court orders |
| Cromwell (Middlesex) | Complaint → Animal Control enforces § 22‑363 | Infraction or misdemeanor + control order |
| East Hampton (New London) | Complaint logs → enforcement under § 22‑363 | Infraction/misdemeanor, court restraint orders |
| Norwich (New London) | Incident log → escalate to Animal Control | Penalties per § 22‑363 |
| Simsbury, Hebron, others | Complaint-based under § 22‑363 | Local action per state statute |
| Oxford (New Haven) | Serious nuisance assessment → possible seizure of animals + cruelty charges | Animals seized, cruelty and nuisance enforcement :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10} |
🔍 What to Do If You’re Dealing with Excessive Barking
- Check if you’re in city/town limits. Town Animal Control enforces § 22‑363.
- Start neighborly: Often, owners don’t know their dog is disturbing others.
- Document the issue: Logs with dates, times, durations, witnesses.
- File a complaint: Contact town Animal Control and follow its process (warning, bark log, citation).
- Escalate if needed: Persistent problems may lead to citations, court orders, or even misdemeanor charges.
- In extreme cases: Authorities might seize dogs, especially where neglect and barking overlap—as in Oxford :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
👥 For Dog Owners Facing Complaints
- Exercise your dog before leaving; remove boredom triggers.
- Use training or humane anti-bark devices.
- Bring dogs indoors during quiet hours.
- Respond promptly and respectfully to complaints.
- Keep a bark log to show proactive efforts.
Conclusion
Connecticut uses a consistent statewide law (§ 22‑363) to regulate excessive dog barking across counties. However, towns may apply and enforce it differently—some with staged warnings and bark logs (e.g., Burlington), others with direct Animal Control logs (e.g., Norwich) or stricter actions (e.g., Oxford). If barking is a concern, start with polite communication, accurate logging, and follow your town’s established process.
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