Barking Brouhaha County Animal Control Enters Conflict Between Neighbors Over Barking Dogs

Barking dogs are dividing a south Spokane Valley neighborhood.

Carol Woodward has complained several times to county Animal Control about the noisy canines in the 12000 block of East 25th. As a result, two of her neighbors have received citations levying fines totaling nearly $500.

Leslie Stevenson and Mitchell Wasson were each cited twice earlier this month after Woodward complained that their dogs were barking excessively on different days last month.

County law prohibits a dog from howling, whining, barking or making other noises that disturb people.

Stevenson also was cited for allowing a dog at large, after her beagle got into Woodward’s yard during one of the barking incidents.

Both Stevenson and Wasson said they will contest the citations in District Court today.

“It’s like a traffic ticket,” Wasson said. “You are presumed guilty until you prove yourself innocent.”

Though the citations will be settled in court, the brewing neighborhood conflict might not be resolved so easily.

“She told me her goal was to get rid of every dog in our neighborhood,” Stevenson said.

Wasson fears the problem has grown into something bigger than the dogs.

“Our feeling is that she’s using the county to harass us,” he said.

Woodward denied the allegations.

“I love dogs. I hate irresponsible dog owners,” she said.

Apparently, Woodward said, Stevenson and Wasson did not realize the magnitude of the responsibility they took on when they got their dogs.

“They buy a dog, put it in the back yard, it barks all day and the neighbors end up putting up with it,” Woodward said, adding that the barking grew tiresome.

By Oct. 2, Woodward said, she had had enough. Woodward said in a signed complaint filed with animal control that Wasson’s golden retriever, Katie, was barking constantly.

Three more complaints followed.

On Oct. 16, Woodward reported that Stevenson’s beagle, Bailey, barked continually for 30 minutes beginning at 9:15 a.m. She called animal control again three days later and reported that Bailey was loose and barking under her bathroom window.

Later on Oct. 19, Woodward told animal control officers that Wasson’s two golden retrievers were barking. Wasson’s other dog, Sadie, barked non-stop for 15 minutes beginning at 11:40 a.m., Woodward wrote.

The barking was so bad that she was unable to finish the work she had started in her yard, Woodward continued.

On Nov. 14, animal control officers cited Stevenson and Wasson. Stevenson’s fines totaled $266, while Wasson’s were $190.

Now Stevenson and Woodward have had enough.

Disappointed that animal control would cite them based solely on Woodward’s account of what happened, Stevenson and Wasson feel victimized.

Stevenson has started questioning whether the dog she got in February was worth the trouble. Wasson, who has lived in the house for only four months, is frustrated.

But Nancy Sattin, director of animal control, said her officers had everyone’s interests at heart when they issued the citations.

“The best thing we can do really is write the ticket so they have their day in court,” Sattin said.

Worse yet, Stevenson and Wasson feel betrayed by their neighbor, who they say decided to go to authorities rather than coming to them to try to solve the problem.

Both said they were not aware their dogs were causing a problem until they received warning letters from animal control prior to the citations.

“I kind of felt like she could have come to the door,” Stevenson said.

Woodward said she tried to talk to both, but was only able to talk to Stevenson. However, the conversation proved unsuccessful because both came away dissatisfied by the other’s reaction.

Wasson was not at home when she tried to reach him, Woodward said.

“She claims she came over, knocked on the door and we weren’t home,” Wasson said. “But there were no notes, no calls, no nothing.”

The conflict has also caused other residents of the neighborhood to take sides.

Few said they have heard the three dogs barking, leading many to side with Stevenson and Wasson. And some who have heard the dogs barking said it was not bothersome.

“It’s a ridiculous situation causing disharmony in the neighborhood,” said Guy Hawks, who lives across the street from Stevenson and Wasson. He has signed an affidavit supporting Stevenson and helped her prepare for today’s hearing.

Jeannene Hauser, who lives directly behind Wasson, agreed with Hawks and has filled out an affidavit supporting Wasson.

Hauser said she went through a similar struggle two years ago when Woodward filed several complaints with animal control about her dog’s barking.

Hauser said her dog barked no more than any other dog. The only thing excessive about the situation were Woodward’s complaints, she said.

“A lot of them were unwarranted,” Hauser said.

Stevenson and Wasson feel the same way. That’s why they are fighting.

“I just don’t want her to do this to anybody else,” Stevenson said. “It has caused a lot of stress in our family.”

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