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Adopt, enforce barking-dog ordinance

Having just read the story about La Plata County considering an ordinance against barking dogs (Herald, Aug. 6), I can only say, “Hooray, get it done!” While I respect where he’s coming from, Commissioner Brad Blake’s quote suggesting that it’s a matter of loving your dog while your neighbor hates it, thus setting neighbor against neighbor: Let’s think about what that means. Why does your neighbor hate your lovable dog? Maybe because it is ruining his or her life?

I am of the belief that there is no such thing as a bad dog, only bad dog owners. My wife and I enjoyed dogs in our family for more than 30 years here, yet we respect our neighbors, and when dogs bark, we scold them and bring them inside. If the problem continues, we use an anti-barking collar, and end of problem. Contrary to the concerns of some, these collars are not cruel, but work on principles dogs understand: alpha control. Unlike some people, dogs have no desire to continue making themselves miserable once the cause of their pain is known.

Aside from road maintenance, I can’t think of anything better for the county to spend a small portion of our tax money on than passing “good fences make good neighbors” laws against incessant barking dogs and their owners and providing the funding to enforce them. It’s just not fair for a few rude people to ruin life in this lovely place for everyone else, including their neglected, frustrated pets.

The “neighbor-against-neighbor” situation Blake fears if such restrictions are enacted already exists. Contrary to causing neighborhood strife, a well-written and enforced anti-barking law would help a lot to bring peace and harmony. I encourage everyone who has complained about barking dogs over the years to take this opportunity to do something about it other than complain, and show up at the Sept. 29 County Commission meeting and complain to those we elect and pay well to keep peace in paradise.

David Petersen

Durango



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