Mallek argued that the ordinance change is more about dogs left confined and alone that bark for hours.

“There is no protection element here. It’s just neglect,” Mallek said. “And it has consequences for the neighbors who live nearby.”

During public comment, county resident Sherry Buttrick, who has hunting dogs, said it was “unjust for the Board of Supervisors to intrude into traditional country life because there are a few neighborhood disputes, no matter how legitimate they may be.”

“This exemption was originally designed to take into consideration the difference between the country and the suburbs, and it should not be lifted,” she said. “And this board really needs to better differentiate between what is appropriate in the growth areas and what is appropriate in the rural areas.”

Albemarle police Lt. Terry Walls said there have not been a significant number of dog-barking charges in the county.

“I believe there was only one charge for a barking dog in a one-year period,” Walls said.

He said that when officers are called to a barking dog complaint, they also look for any underlying reasons a dog could be barking, such as a welfare or shelter issue.