Bark Worse Than Bite For Los Angeles Dogs

LOS ANGELES -- Barking dogs can lead to a hefty fine in Los Angeles.
The City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance that fines owners of excessively barking dogs $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third if a Department of Animal Services hearing officer decides the pooch is barking too much.

City prosecutor Dov Lesel tells the Los Angeles Times ( http://lat.ms/tLCNjO) that a dog's barking would be considered excessive if it continued for 10 minutes or more, or intermittently for a half-hour or more within a three-hour period.

The ordinance is expected to get Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's signature. It would go into effect before the end of the year.