Barking Illegal in Los Angeles? Pet Owners Facing $100 Fines for Dog Disturbances

LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) God help you if your barking Shih Tzu or Chihuahua bothers your neighbor in LA.

Barking dogs will now be a Los Angeles moneymaker, since the city council voted unanimously Tuesday to put some teeth in an ordinance that will fine pet owners who violate the city's barking and leash laws.

Animal Services officers last year wrote nearly 20,000 notices to pet owners who  violated those laws, but there was no financial penalty.  Now, a $100 citation will be issued and stiffer fines will be given habitual offenders.

Last year's offenders could have been good for some $2 million in revenue.

The L.A. municipal code says pet owners cannot allow a barking dog to bother their neighbors. It also prohibits keeping dogs, cats, rabbits and other critters more than 35 feet from their house, or allowing a dog to wander the streets without a leash.

As for Buddy, the habitually barking Shih Tzu... Let's just say we won't be visiting Los Angeles together until he fixes his "noise problem."

By the way, in case you were wondering, peeing on fire hydrants is still legal in Los Angeles -- if you're a dog.