Tuesday, November 12, 2013

This Week's Barking News Roundup - 11/12/13

Family: Man who killed 4 in Ariz. had own demons

Excerpt: Authorities and neighbors speculate that the incessant noise of barking dogs possibly drove him to kill.

Demons notwithstanding, the man was subjected to uncontrolled barking. No one should have to suffer through that. He tried to get the noise stopped. Including "advising people of pet ordinances and fines." This is what authorities keep telling us to do: Talk to the neighbors. Fat lotta good that did.

Tent city proposed to ease dog overcrowding

Excerpt: A tent city, built with taxpayer money, will go to the dogs next year.

I pity the nearby neighbors. Because tents won't stop barking noise from pouring into their living spaces. BTW, the county board of supervisors unanimously approved this project.

Morris: Are barking dogs causing trouble or unfairly being blamed?

Excerpt: One of my neighbors mentioned the barking was so bad that it's had a negative effect upon his blood pressure and health.

The article writer's advice is full of platitudes like "Dogs bark. That's what they do." Call it the Dog Owner Entitlement Mentality.

But the online commentariat isn't buying it. Here's a comment excerpt:

This may be some of the worst advice ever given. NO, people do not have a right to put their dogs outside to bark all day (let alone all night) long. It disturbs the quiet of the neighborhood. Dogs may bark. But it's the responsibility of the dog owner to keep a constantly barking dog indoors by whatever means necessary, or the dog goes. Too many dog owners allow their dogs to bark all day or night, or run unleashed. It creates enormous tension, enormous ill will. If your dog belongs to you, then take responsibility. We don't want to hear it.

And, no. Your dog is not your child. If your child stood on the front porch and barked for 8-10 straight hours at the top of his lungs, you'd be arrested.

The Department of Shameless Self-Promotion. If the Dog Owner Entitlement Mentality is getting on your nerves, head over to the QuietBarkingDogs store.  Plenty of clothing and bumper stickers that quietly make our viewpoint known.