I am writing to express my opposition to the upcoming county ordinance concerning barking dogs. Dogs bark for many reasons: being left alone, being left outside at night and having fun. Many dogs that are in training classes, competing, or waiting for their turn to compete are in a happy, excited state and they bark.
A 20-minute limit on a dog barking will put a stop to many of the venues and activities in the area that involve dog training and activities such as agility and dock diving. These activities have many benefits including that dogs are tired at night and sleep, trained dogs are more easily controlled and are better citizens, and these activities bring people to our area who spend “dog dollars” in our community.
Recently, there was a seminar on dog behavior that people attended from as far away as Massachusetts and California. Durango has long been known as a dog friendly city. Please don’t let this go away because what is also going to go away is the benefit of a better trained dog population and the “dog dollars” that our barkers bring to Durango and La Plata County.
Kay Rizzardi
Bayfield
