Per Sec. 2102-2(a) of the Moline Code of Ordinance, it is a nuisance violation for a person to own, keep or harbor any dog or cat that, by frequent or excessive loud barking, howling or yelping, unduly annoys or disturbs the quiet of any neighborhood within the City.If the noise created by a dog or cat is not repetitive but rather an isolated incident, and/or you feel the animal may be in danger or is not being properly cared for, please contact the Animal Control Division at 309.797.0741 or the Moline Police Department's non-emergency number at 309.797.0401.
For continued and repetitious noise situations, the City encourages neighboring residents who encounter such a situation to first talk to the animal's owner or keeper regarding the situation. It is possible that the owner or keeper may not be aware that the animal is frequently or persistently creating noise or that the noise is disturbing to neighboring residents.
The minimum fine for any person convicted of violating Sec. 7-2102(a) of the Code as a first offense is $50.00 plus court costs. The maximum fine is $750.00 plus court costs.
To file a complaint with the Animal Control Division, also known as the Community Service Section of the Moline Police Department, please call 309.797.0741. The Animal Control Division follows the following procedure:
Any person wishing to register a complaint against the owner or keeper of a dog/cat creating a nuisance by frequently or excessively barking, howling or yelping must first maintain a Dog/Cat Noise Complaint Log. A detailed, specific, and accurately kept log will give the City a better chance of success if the case should be referred to court or an administrative hearing unit. After this log is completed and signed, please return it to the City Attorney's Office, Attn. Deputy City Attorney, City Hall, 619 16th St Moline, IL 61265.
All Dog/Cat Noise Complaint Logs will be reviewed, and if warranted, charges will be filed against the animal owner or keeper. To further increase the City's likelihood of success if legal action becomes necessary, please provide the names of other witnesses/neighbors and ask them to complete Dog/Cat Noise Complaint Logs as well. Without more than one witness, the matter becomes your word against that of the owner or keeper and prosecution is unlikely.
In response to a complaint, the Animal Control Division will send a letter to the dog/cat owner or keeper notifying him or her that a complaint was made and providing the owner or keeper with information about ways to solve the problem of excessive noise. The letter encourages the owner or keeper to cooperate by voluntarily taking action to solve the problem.