Ask The Mayor: How Can I Report Loud Dog Barking?

Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his staff.

Q: How do I make a complaint for excessive dog barking coming from a house in my neighborhood?

A: I truly love dogs, but I do know how frustrating it can be when owners neglect their dogs and allow them to bark nonstop outside their home. All of us should take ownership of our pets and correct behavior that would harm others.

The Maui Humane Society provides much information and resources about dog barking complaints on their website at http://www.mauihumanesociety.org/content/503d4eaa67a80/Barking_Complaints.html. Download their Barking Dog Complaint Letter for detailed instructions.

The society strongly recommends people record the barking – either 10 minutes of continuous barking or 20 minutes of intermittent barking – as evidence for the complaint. You must submit this recording to the society’s Humane Enforcement department and fill out a Barking Violation Information Form in order for the society to take action.

Upon receiving a documented bark complaint, the society’s Humane Officers will try to work with the owner to resolve the situation. This process should take a minimum of three weeks, but if it is not effective the officers will send a report to the county Prosecutor’s Office. It is then their office’s decision whether or not to issue a fine for excessive barking.

To be clear, dogs are never impounded for barking complaints. A barking violation can carry up to a $500 fine.

For more information or help, please call Maui Humane Society at 877-3680

Want to Ask The Mayor?

Submit your Maui County related questions to Mayor Michael Victorino by email at [email protected], by phone at (808) 270-7855 or via mail to 200 S. High Street, ninth floor, Wailuku, Hawaiʻi 96793.

Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.