PUBLICATION: Telegraph Herald
DATE: May 5, 1998
SECTION: Front; Pg. a 1
BYLINE: Jennifer Wilkinson
DATELINE: Dubuque, Iowa

The Telegraph Herald reports the Dubuque, Iowa ,City Council approved two ordinances Monday night to make the city quieter.

According to the article, Dubuque's new ordinances deal with car stereos and barking dogs. The council unanimously approved an ordinance that prohibits loud car stereos. Now, a driver of a car with a stereo heard from 200 feet away will be issued a $25 traffic citation. Police Chief John Mauss said most offenders are teenagers. In the past, charges against them were filed in juvenile court under a general noise ordinance. Mauss told the council he believes the new ordinance will allow for more efficient enforcement.

The article reports the council also approved a nuisance ordinance and barking-dogs policy. Under the barking-dogs policy, the animal warden or a police officer will investigate complaints as soon as possible. If the dog is not making noise when an officer arrives, a complaint notice will be sent to the owner. If the dog is causing a problem, a warning will be given. If the problem continues, the city solicitor will determine if there should be mediation between neighbors or if charges of disturbing the peace should be filed. City Manager Michael Van Milligen said mediation would be the best alternative when a conflict between neighbors is not just about a barking dog. "In some barking-dog cases, the dog is not really the problem - it's two neighbors who can't get along," he said. "That's when mediation would be most helpful."