Yellowknife (July 16/04) - Suzane Watkins is fed up with the dogs across the street, and with the Municipal Enforcement officer sent to deal with them.

For more than a year, she says, the owners of a house across from Fraser Arms East have allowed their dogs to bark "incessantly."

Watkins says that the barking has a particularly trying effect on Fraser Arms residents because the topography of the street amplifies the dogs.

"It's like they're barking at you through loudspeakers," she says.

The city's "Dog By-Law" is very explicit on such matters.

Section 16(d) states that no person shall allow a dog "to disturb the peace and quiet of any person by howling or barking so as to constitute a nuisance."

There is room for discretion, but the law says dogs cannot be left to cause a nuisance at any time of day.

People, on the other hand, are limited to a 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. quiet time.

For Watkins, as much at issue as the barking dogs is the conduct of the Municipal Enforcement officer who conveys her complaints, and those of her neighbours, to the dogs' owners.

According to Watkins, the constable often ends up simply chatting with the owners, and occasionally playing basketball with them.

When the officer leaves, the owners stand in front of their house and wave at the apartment building.

The problem has gone unaddressed for too long, says Watkins.

She has filed a complaint against the officer with Doug Gillard, manager of the city's Municipal Enforcement division, faulting the officer's conduct and behaviour.

Gillard could not comment on the allegations because the complaint is being investigated.

He would not say if tickets had ever been issued to the owners of the dogs.

Violations of the Dog By-Law carry fines up to $2,000, but Gillard says that noise offences generally receive a first-time warning, followed by a $75 fine.