Often times just speaking with your neighbor will solve the problem. But if you do not feel comfortable with that, or you have tried and there has not been any relief – you can contact our office (812.376.2505) and register a complaint. This first complaint can be anonymous, but we need the specific address of the problem. Our officers will go out and make contact with the owner of the pet. They will try to discuss what the owner can do to alleviate the problem, explain the owner’s responsibility in the matter and the possible legal action which could result should the problem persist. Any further complaints concerning this matter require the submission of a signed complaint by a witness.

Our officers will then issue citations for the infraction. The ordinances stipulate that the barking must be continuous for more than a twenty minute period to be considered an actionable nuisance. The witness must be willing to appear in court to testify should the owner deny that their pet causes a nuisance. Fines for nuisance violations increase for each offense and a compaintant may sign complaints for each seperate incident.