Data report · Updated October 2026
Dog barking complaints statistics: how many barking dog complaints New York City gets, where, when, and what happens next
New Yorkers filed 8,329 barking dog complaints with 311 in 2025, the most in 16 years of city data and 81.3% more than in 2020. Only 1 of those complaints ended in a summons; the usual outcome was a warning letter to the dog's owner. The first nine months of 2026 brought 6,296 complaints, 1.4% more than a year earlier.
Key findings
- NYC 311 logged 8,329 barking dog complaints in 2025, one more than the 8,328 in 2024 and the highest yearly total in data going back to 2010.
- Complaints rose 81.3% from the 2020 low of 4,595, and the 2025 total was 32.5% above 2010.
- Just 1 complaint in 2025 led to a summons; 2,621 (31.5%) ended with a warning letter to the dog owner.
- Brooklyn had the most complaints in 2025 (2,776), but Staten Island had the highest rate: 123.5 per 100,000 residents.
- 20.7% of 2025 complaints were filed between 10 pm and 7 am; the busiest single hour was 10 am, with 545 complaints.
- May averages the most complaints and July the fewest; May runs 69.6% higher than July across 2010 to 2025.
- From 2010 to 2025, 111,062 barking complaints produced 56 summonses, about one for every 1,983 complaints.
- Barking was 1.0% of the 833,000 noise complaints NYC 311 received in 2025; residential noise complaints outnumbered barking 56 to 1.
How many barking dog complaints does New York City get?
New York City's 311 line logged 8,329 barking dog complaints in 2025. It works out to about 23 a day, and it is the highest yearly total in city open data going back to 2010.
The count fell to 4,595 in 2020, the lowest year on record, as the pandemic changed how people lived and called the city. It has climbed every year since, by 81.3% in five years.
2026 is running at a similar pace. From January to September 2026, 311 recorded 6,296 barking complaints, against 6,210 in the same months of 2025, a change of 1.4%.
NYC Open Data, 311 Service Requests (2010 to 2019 and 2020 to present files), complaint type Noise, descriptor Barking Dog (NR5), plus the descriptor Dog used from mid-2026. Pulled October 17, 2026.
Show the numbers
| Label | complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 6,843 |
| 2013 | 7,298 |
| 2014 | 7,551 |
| 2015 | 7,499 |
| 2016 | 6,731 |
| 2017 | 6,901 |
| 2018 | 6,261 |
| 2019 | 7,235 |
| 2020 | 4,595 |
| 2021 | 6,112 |
| 2022 | 7,213 |
| 2023 | 7,745 |
| 2024 | 8,328 |
| 2025 | 8,329 |
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| Year | Total | Bronx | Brooklyn | Manhattan | Queens | Staten Island |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6287 | 750 | 1755 | 1296 | 1735 | 750 |
| 2011 | 6134 | 749 | 1826 | 1314 | 1610 | 630 |
| 2012 | 6843 | 847 | 1968 | 1272 | 2008 | 744 |
| 2013 | 7298 | 834 | 2158 | 1484 | 1982 | 840 |
| 2014 | 7551 | 876 | 2240 | 1606 | 2114 | 715 |
| 2015 | 7499 | 884 | 2247 | 1620 | 1962 | 786 |
| 2016 | 6731 | 834 | 1962 | 1505 | 1722 | 707 |
| 2017 | 6901 | 780 | 2187 | 1476 | 1792 | 666 |
| 2018 | 6261 | 674 | 1862 | 1436 | 1689 | 600 |
| 2019 | 7235 | 724 | 1653 | 1411 | 1455 | 1992 |
| 2020 | 4595 | 537 | 1482 | 901 | 1142 | 533 |
| 2021 | 6112 | 649 | 2023 | 1369 | 1577 | 494 |
| 2022 | 7213 | 825 | 2473 | 1610 | 1774 | 531 |
| 2023 | 7745 | 1078 | 2562 | 1597 | 1970 | 538 |
| 2024 | 8328 | 1244 | 2708 | 1652 | 2162 | 562 |
| 2025 | 8329 | 1381 | 2776 | 1592 | 1961 | 619 |
Over the 16 full years from 2010 to 2025, New Yorkers filed 111,062 barking complaints. Yearly totals stayed between 6,112 and 8,329 outside 2020.
In mid-2026 the city changed the label on these complaints from Barking Dog (NR5) to Dog. We count both, so the series is unbroken.
Barking dog complaints by borough
Brooklyn filed the most barking complaints in 2025, 2,776, or 33.3% of the city total. Queens followed with 1,961 and Manhattan with 1,592.
Adjusted for population, Staten Island leads. Its 619 complaints equal 123.5 per 100,000 residents, against 97.0 citywide and 83.2 in Queens.
The Bronx changed the most. Its complaints rose from 750 in 2010 to 1,381 in 2025, up 84.1%. Staten Island went the other way, down 17.5%.
Staten Island had an unusual spike in 2019: 1,992 complaints, more than double its total in any other year, before falling to 533 in 2020.
NYC 311 complaints, 2025. Population: US Census Bureau Vintage 2025 county estimates for July 1, 2025.
Show the numbers
| Label | per 100,000 |
|---|---|
| Staten Island | 123.5 |
| Brooklyn | 104.6 |
| Bronx | 98.2 |
| Manhattan | 95.6 |
| Queens | 83.2 |
| New York City | 97.0 |
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2025 complaints divided by NYC dog licenses active on December 31, 2025, assigned to boroughs by ZIP code. Unlicensed dogs are not counted, so ratios overstate complaints per dog.
Show the numbers
| Label | per 1,000 dogs |
|---|---|
| Bronx | 230.5 |
| Brooklyn | 155.3 |
| Queens | 151.7 |
| Staten Island | 130.4 |
| Manhattan | 70.2 |
Embed this chart
| Borough | Complaints 2025 | Residents 2025 | Per 100,000 residents | Licensed dogs (Dec 31, 2025) | Per 1,000 licensed dogs | Change since 2010 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bronx | 1381 | 1,406,332 | 98.2 | 5,992 | 230.5 | 84.1 |
| Brooklyn | 2776 | 2,653,963 | 104.6 | 17,871 | 155.3 | 58.2 |
| Manhattan | 1592 | 1,664,862 | 95.6 | 22,688 | 70.2 | 22.8 |
| Queens | 1961 | 2,358,182 | 83.2 | 12,923 | 151.7 | 13.0 |
| Staten Island | 619 | 501,290 | 123.5 | 4,746 | 130.4 | -17.5 |
| New York City | 8329 | 8,584,629 | 97.0 | 64,220 | 129.7 | 32.5 |
Licensed dogs give another angle. NYC's dog license file lists 64,220 licenses active on December 31, 2025, with NYC ZIP codes. That works out to 129.7 complaints per 1,000 licensed dogs.
The Bronx has the highest ratio, 230.5 complaints per 1,000 licensed dogs, and Manhattan the lowest, 70.2. Many NYC dogs are never licensed, so these ratios overstate complaints per dog.
For national dog ownership numbers, see our US dog ownership statistics.
When barking complaints happen: month and hour
Spring is the peak. Across 2010 to 2025, May averaged 700 complaints and July averaged 413, the fewest of any month. October, at 676, is a second peak.
A likely reason is windows. Mild spring and fall weather means open windows and busy yards, while many windows stay shut for heating or air conditioning at other times.
Most complaints come in daytime. In 2025, 20.7% were logged between 10 pm and 7 am, the hours when the city's shorter 5-minute limit applies. The busiest hour was 10 am to 11 am, with 545 complaints.
Average of 16 years of NYC 311 barking dog complaints for each calendar month.
Show the numbers
| Label | complaints |
|---|---|
| Jan | 535 |
| Feb | 524 |
| Mar | 618 |
| Apr | 663 |
| May | 700 |
| Jun | 564 |
| Jul | 413 |
| Aug | 510 |
| Sep | 636 |
| Oct | 676 |
| Nov | 565 |
| Dec | 539 |
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Hour the 311 request was created, 2025. A complaint may be filed some time after the barking began.
Show the numbers
| Label | complaints |
|---|---|
| Midnight to 3 am | 558 |
| 3 to 6 am | 240 |
| 6 to 9 am | 925 |
| 9 am to noon | 1,504 |
| Noon to 3 pm | 1,254 |
| 3 to 6 pm | 1,238 |
| 6 to 9 pm | 1,425 |
| 9 pm to midnight | 1,185 |
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| Month | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 586 | 614 | 673 | 621 |
| Feb | 559 | 613 | 669 | 624 |
| Mar | 694 | 803 | 789 | 908 |
| Apr | 667 | 850 | 806 | 894 |
| May | 820 | 872 | 867 | 793 |
| Jun | 675 | 617 | 605 | 641 |
| Jul | 401 | 460 | 487 | 491 |
| Aug | 543 | 571 | 623 | 587 |
| Sep | 640 | 806 | 691 | 737 |
| Oct | 824 | 825 | 786 | n/a |
| Nov | 663 | 687 | 687 | n/a |
| Dec | 673 | 610 | 646 | n/a |
September 2026 shows the newest monthly figure: 737 complaints, against 691 in September 2025. October 2026 data were still coming in when we pulled the file.
What happens after a barking dog complaint in NYC?
Almost never a ticket. Of 8,329 barking complaints in 2025, the Department of Environmental Protection issued a summons in 1 case. Its most common step was a warning letter to the dog owner, sent in 2,621 cases.
Many complaints never got that far. 2,188 (26.3%) were closed as duplicates of an earlier complaint. Another 1,682 (20.2%) lacked the caller's full name and address or the dog's location.
Inspections rarely confirm a violation. In 1,189 cases DEP inspected but did not observe a violation at the time and could not issue a summons.
Resolution text attached to each 2025 complaint in NYC 311 open data, grouped by dogeats.in.
Show the numbers
| Label | complaints |
|---|---|
| Warning letter sent to dog owner | 2,621 |
| Duplicate of earlier complaint | 2,188 |
| Inspected, no violation observed | 1,189 |
| Missing caller name or address | 987 |
| Missing dog owner location | 695 |
| Letter returned undeliverable | 560 |
| Other closures | 88 |
| Summons issued | 1 |
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| Year | Complaints | Summonses | Complaints per summons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6287 | 13 | 484 |
| 2011 | 6134 | 7 | 876 |
| 2012 | 6843 | 14 | 489 |
| 2013 | 7298 | 4 | 1,825 |
| 2014 | 7551 | 4 | 1,888 |
| 2015 | 7499 | 5 | 1,500 |
| 2016 | 6731 | 1 | 6,731 |
| 2017 | 6901 | 1 | 6,901 |
| 2018 | 6261 | 0 | none issued |
| 2019 | 7235 | 1 | 7,235 |
| 2020 | 4595 | 1 | 4,595 |
| 2021 | 6112 | 0 | none issued |
| 2022 | 7213 | 0 | none issued |
| 2023 | 7745 | 2 | 3,873 |
| 2024 | 8328 | 2 | 4,164 |
| 2025 | 8329 | 1 | 8,329 |
Summonses were never common, and they have nearly vanished. DEP issued 13 in 2010 and 14 in 2012. From 2016 to 2025 it issued 9 in total.
The city's own guide explains why. It says first complaints may lead to education, with information on reducing barking mailed to the owner. Further action follows only when complaints persist.
NYC noise code rules for barking dogs
New York City's Noise Code covers animal noise in section 24-235 of the Administrative Code. The city's guide to the code sets out when barking can lead to enforcement.
The noise must be unreasonable and plainly audible from inside nearby homes. From 7 am to 10 pm it must last 10 minutes or more without a break. From 10 pm to 7 am the limit drops to 5 minutes.
Penalties are modest. The schedule sits in Chapter 47 of Title 15 of the city's rules. DEP's posted version lists $70 for a first violation of section 24-235, $140 for a second and $210 for a third. Default penalties run $175 to $525.
| Offense | Penalty ($) | Default penalty ($) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 70 | 175 |
| 2nd | 140 | 350 |
| 3rd | 210 | 525 |
A repeat offense counts only if it is the same respondent breaking the same rule within two years, the schedule says. DEP's 2025 penalty schedule amendment did not change the animal noise penalties.
Renters face a second layer of rules in leases and pet policies. Our pet rent and deposit laws by state covers what landlords can charge for pets.
Barking dog laws in other US cities
US cities write barking rules in two ways. Some set a clock, like New York. Others leave it to an officer to judge whether barking is excessive, and require repeat or multiple complaints first.
Los Angeles takes the second route. Its Municipal Code section 53.63, as published by LA Animal Services, defines excessive noise by factors such as frequency, volume, time of day and the number of neighbors affected.
In Los Angeles a complaint must be in writing, with the caller's name, address and phone. A second complaint after 15 days, with one from a separate household, leads to a meeting. If the problem is not resolved, a hearing follows.
| City | Code | Time standard | How to complain | Next steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | Admin. Code 24-235 | 10 min continuous, 7 am to 10 pm; 5 min, 10 pm to 7 am | Call 311 or file online | Education letter first; inspection; summons $70 to $210 |
| Los Angeles | LAMC 53.63 | No minute count; factors such as frequency, volume, time of day | Written, signed letter to an LA Animal Services center | Written notice; second complaint after 15 days, usually with a second household; meeting; hearing; license revocation possible |
| Denver | D.R.M.C. 8-17 | No minute count on the city page; barking must be proven a nuisance | Call 311; no anonymous complaints | Warning letter; no new complaint within 2 weeks; free mediation; third complaint needs a recording or second witness |
| City dataset | Barking category | What the data show |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 311 Cases | noise_dog_barking subtype | 481 cases in 2023 and 354 in 2024; the subtype does not appear before or after |
| Dallas 311, Oct 2020 to present | No barking type; closest is Animal Nuisance | Barking cannot be separated out |
| Austin 311 Public Data | No barking request type found | Not measurable from open data |
| Chicago 311 | No barking type; closest is Nuisance Animal Complaint | Not measurable from open data |
| Kansas City 311 | No animal noise subtype found | Not measurable from open data |
Denver's page asks neighbors to talk first, then routes repeat complaints to free mediation. A third complaint needs proof, such as an audio or video recording, or a second neighbor as witness.
Few large cities publish barking complaints as a separate open data category. New York is the main exception, which is why its numbers carry this report. For city rankings on other dog rules, see our most dog-friendly states and cities report.
NYC ZIP codes with the most barking complaints
Barking complaints cluster in a handful of neighborhoods. The top ZIP code in 2025, 11206 in Brooklyn, logged 356 complaints. The top 12 ZIP codes together accounted for 1,813, or 21.8% of the city total.
A high count can reflect one persistent dispute. Repeat calls about the same dog are often closed as duplicates, but each still appears in the data.
NYC 311 barking dog complaints in 2025 by incident ZIP code.
Show the numbers
| Label | complaints |
|---|---|
| 11206 (Brooklyn) | 356 |
| 10461 (Bronx) | 179 |
| 10306 (Staten Island) | 155 |
| 11221 (Brooklyn) | 148 |
| 11201 (Brooklyn) | 143 |
| 11238 (Brooklyn) | 141 |
| 11225 (Brooklyn) | 124 |
| 11226 (Brooklyn) | 121 |
| 11385 (Queens) | 115 |
| 11215 (Brooklyn) | 114 |
| 11233 (Brooklyn) | 113 |
| 11212 (Brooklyn) | 104 |
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| ZIP code | Borough | Complaints 2025 | Licensed dogs (Dec 31, 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11206 | Brooklyn | 356 | 538 |
| 10461 | Bronx | 179 | 370 |
| 10306 | Staten Island | 155 | 692 |
| 11221 | Brooklyn | 148 | 525 |
| 11201 | Brooklyn | 143 | 1395 |
| 11238 | Brooklyn | 141 | 859 |
| 11225 | Brooklyn | 124 | 410 |
| 11226 | Brooklyn | 121 | 604 |
| 11385 | Queens | 115 | 717 |
| 11215 | Brooklyn | 114 | 1363 |
| 11233 | Brooklyn | 113 | 300 |
| 11212 | Brooklyn | 104 | 238 |
For context on dog-heavy neighborhoods, our dog parks by city report ranks US cities by off-leash space. Dogs left alone for long days bark more; our dog walker and sitter costs report shows what daytime help costs.
What these barking complaint numbers do not show
A complaint is a call, not a confirmed violation. The same neighbor may call many times about one dog, and some barking is never reported at all.
Changes in how people reach 311 also move the numbers. The 2020 dip to 4,595 likely reflects pandemic disruption as much as quieter dogs.
Seasonal patterns can mislead too. July has the fewest barking complaints on average, which may reflect fewer people at home rather than fewer barking dogs.
- Source rows: 111,062 complaints from 2010 to 2025, plus 6,296 from January to September 2026.
- Population: US Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates, 8,584,629 New Yorkers.
- Licensed dogs: 64,220 NYC license records active on December 31, 2025, mapped to boroughs by ZIP code.
- Rules: NYC DEP Noise Code guide and penalty schedule, LA Animal Services, Denver Animal Protection.
More on dogs and noise is in our fireworks, hot car and lost pet report.
Frequently asked questions
How many barking dog complaints does NYC get a year?
NYC 311 logged 8,329 barking dog complaints in 2025, the most since 2010. From January to September 2026 there were 6,296.
How long can a dog bark legally in NYC?
NYC's Noise Code allows enforcement when barking is unreasonable, plainly audible from nearby homes and lasts 10 minutes or more from 7 am to 10 pm. From 10 pm to 7 am the limit is 5 minutes.
What is the fine for a barking dog in NYC?
DEP's posted penalty schedule lists $70 for a first animal noise violation, $140 for a second and $210 for a third. Only 1 summons followed 8,329 complaints in 2025.
What happens when you report a barking dog in NYC?
Usually the city mails the owner a warning letter with tips to reduce barking. In 2025, 2,621 of 8,329 complaints (31.5%) ended that way.
Which NYC borough has the most barking complaints?
Brooklyn had the most in 2025, 2,776. Staten Island had the highest rate, 123.5 per 100,000 residents.
When do most barking complaints happen?
Spring, with May the peak month across 2010 to 2025. By hour, 79.3% of 2025 complaints were logged between 7 am and 10 pm.
Is there a barking dog law in Los Angeles?
Yes. LA Municipal Code 53.63 bans excessive barking after written notice. Complaints must be written, and a hearing follows if repeat complaints are not resolved at a meeting.
Do I need proof to file a barking complaint?
It depends on the city. Denver asks for an audio or video recording, or a second witness, before it takes a third complaint about the same dog.
Methodology and limitations
Complaint counts come from NYC Open Data's two 311 Service Request files (2010 to 2019, and 2020 to present), queried through the Socrata API on October 17, 2026. We kept complaint type Noise with descriptor Barking Dog (NR5), plus the descriptor Dog that replaced it from mid-2026.
Outcomes were grouped by dogeats.in from each request's resolution text. Summonses are requests whose resolution states that DEP issued a summons.
Rates per 100,000 residents use the Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 county estimates for July 1, 2025. Licensed dogs are NYC Dog Licensing Dataset records in the 2026 extract that were active on December 31, 2025, assigned to boroughs by ZIP code prefix.
NYC rules come from the DEP Noise Code guide summary, the DEP noise penalty schedule and DEP's March 2025 penalty rule notice. Los Angeles rules come from the LA Animal Services page quoting LAMC 53.63, and Denver's from Denver Animal Protection.
Sources
- NYC Open Data, 311 Service Requests from 2020 to Present, Barking dog complaints 2020 to 2026 by month, borough, hour, ZIP and outcome
- NYC Open Data, 311 Service Requests from 2010 to 2019, Barking dog complaints 2010 to 2019
- NYC Department of Environmental Protection, A Guide to New York City's Noise Code, 10-minute and 5-minute animal noise standards
- Also consulted: NYC DEP, Noise Code Penalty Schedule, NYC Rules, Noise and RTK Penalty Schedule Amendments, effective March 30, 2025, NYC Open Data, NYC Dog Licensing Dataset, US Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 county population estimates, LA Animal Services, Nuisance Barking (LAMC 53.63), Denver Animal Protection, Barking Dog Complaints, DataSF, 311 Cases, Dallas Open Data, 311 Service Requests.
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