Dogs Barking?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

I'm feeling brave, so I will pose a question to the DS community:

I live on the Davis side of Ball Square, and sometime this spring, I began to notice what I consider to be unusual and excessive barking from a neighborhood dog(s). I'm rarely home during the day, so I paid little attention, and a barking dog certainly fits within what I consider normal (sub)urban noise.

Unemployment changed all that, and I now realize that said dog is barking consistently throughout the day.

I am concerned from two standpoints: 1) animal welfare and 2) noise control. I've worked with the ASPCA, and to me, I associate consistent barking with kennel dogs. I wonder if the excessive barking might result from an inhumane or otherwise inappropriate condition for a dog? Also, should I really have to hear this? It's obnoxious to say the least to put your dog outside and let it bark all day.

As best I can tell, the noise originates from the Broadway, Cedar Street, Lowell Branch commuter rail triangle. The first step is to obviously go over there on a warmer day so I can drive with my windows down and identify the residence.

After that, what would be the appropriate course of action? Should this be filed as a noise complaint? Or should I call animal control? If both paths are available, does anyone have any recommendations on which to choose?

Thank you in advance.

Comments

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

311: "What can I do about the dog next door that is left outside and continually barks? (http://faqs.somervillema.intelligovsoftware.com/barkingdog.aspx)"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

But it's not next door.

Just kidding. Thank you so much for that link. I'm glad that the City had the answer readily available.