As of Monday, citizens in the Northern French town of Feuquières will face a fine of €68 ($77) for their dogs’ “prolonged or repeated barking.”  Mayor Jean-Pierre Estienne believes that excessive canine barking “disturbs the rest or relaxation” of the remainder of the town. He explains that the ban is in place because of the town’s dogs barking “day and night.”  

The new ban is based on the complaints against 1 of the 1,400 residents in Feuquières, a woman with several dogs. After multiple warnings regarding her dogs, she repeatedly refused to cooperate with the city council.  

The town has come under fire for the extreme action against a practically uncontrollable annoyance.  Animal rights activists have denounced the legislation, saying dogs should not be punished for their natural responses.  Stéphane Lamart, president of the Association for the Defence of Animal Rights, said that he is planning to organize an appeal of the new decree.  He says, “You may as well stop church bells ringing on Sunday morning. If dogs have mouths, it’s so they can bark.”

Despite criticism like this, Estienne stands by his recent ban on barking, reassuring critics that the fine will only be imposed in extreme cases.