San Diego ? Officials in San Diego who want to prevent seals from taking over a popular beach are hoping that a dog’s bark is worse than its bite.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Saturday that the city will seek court approval next week for a plan to use recordings of barking dogs at Children’s Pool beach in La Jolla.

The city hopes the recordings will disperse about 200 seals. The plan will cost nearly $700,000 a year.

Marine experts say the seals likely will adjust to the noise, but city officials say their backup plan is to add other sounds and spray the seals with water.