Animal Control Officers respond to complaint reports based on priority and safety of humans and animals. Noisy Animal Complaints require paperwork to be submitted before any action is taken by Animal Services and this process is explained below.

Barking Dog Complaints (below)
Rabies Reports, Bite Reports and Quarantines
Stray, Injured and Dead Animal Complaints
Leash Law Violations

If you need an Animal Control Officer to visit your location, call your nearest shelter location.
You may file a report via email, but please realize that an ACO will not be immediately dispatched to your location. Office staff will review your email and take appropriate action. Include your name, city, address and nature of report.

Noisy Animal/Barking Dog Complaints
Animal Services personnel work with members of the public to seek ways to significantly reduce the barking dog problems within specific neighborhoods of complaint.

You cannot remain anonymous when filing a Noisy Animal Complaint because your neighbors need to know who their animals are disturbing.

Information Regarding Barking Dogs and Noisy Animal Complaints - This may be useful to share with dog owners to help reach a solution without involving Animal Services.

The Riverside shelter location offers Dog Problem Solving Classes that can assist dog owners in training techniques to end excessive barking. Call to confirm dates and times at (951) 358-7387.

Procedures for Noisy Animal Complaints vary in the cities of Riverside and Palm Desert, but here are the procedures for all other cities and unincorporated areas of Riverside County:

Barking Dog Investigation Procedure
1) First Complaint results in petition sent to complainant, and
2) Receipt of signed petition results in letter to dog owner
3) Second complaint results in a second notice to dog owner
4) Third complaint results in an investigation by an Animal Control Officer
5) A court date may be scheduled
6) The dog owner must be present at court.  Failure to appear will result in a bench warrant for the dog owner’s arrest.  If you have questions, call your nearest shelter location.

Ordinance No. 630, Section 11(d)/Title 6.08.140 - Stray or Barking Dogs

Petition for Noisy Animal - To be completed by individuals who are being disturbed, and returned to Animal Services:

Petition for Noisy Animal - Coachella Valley

Petition for Noisy Animal - Riverside County, general

Declaration of Noisy Animal - City of Riverside ONLY
  See City of Riverside Municipal Codes for more information

City of Palm Desert - submit general form, but procedure varies slightly; See City of Palm Desert Municipal Codes