The Saline Reporter
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PUBLISHED: February 7, 2008
Pet ownership also brings responsibility
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What a wonderful pleasure dog ownership is, isn't it? But with that comes the responsibility of properly managing the animal's behavior, especially when the dog is outside the house proper. Unfortunately, today, it seems many have forgotten or just ignore that responsibility.
First, let me say that my household does have a dog. But the privilege of having this pet came only with clearly defined responsibilities and understanding of the laws and ordinances surrounding pet ownership, and the necessary respect and consideration of our neighbors by the members of this household about the pet in the neighborhood environment.
Over the past weeks and months, I have observed an alarming and terribly annoying scenario of the complete lack of neighborly respect and consideration of their pets, to the point where some neighbors and even other pet owners in my area are complaining about the out of control noise and management of them.
Invisible fences are a wonderful technological advancement, but it resulted in the opportunity for irresponsible use. Many owners have installed these devices around their properties, many from the front sidewalk through the rear of the property, and then the dogs are routinely allowed to roam unsupervised.
This allows for the unsupervised pets to bark freely, express aggressive behavior when residents are walking the sidewalks or walking their own dogs, when other dogs are also out on adjacent or nearby lots, when delivery drivers arrive, or just for the sake of barking, expressing a desire to return inside during the cold weather.
This week alone, a known repeat loose dog from almost two blocks away roamed the neighborhood for more than an hour marking every lot it traversed, harassed other dogs contained within lots, and dug in yards and planting beds in several homeowners' properties.
In another case, I was awakened at 6:45 a.m. by more than one dog at one area house barking randomly. And in another case, two dogs from one house had escaped their fence zone and were on a lot across the street barking wildly at a cat they had forced up a tree. The owner had no idea the dogs were off the lot when I knocked on his door to ask if those were his dogs making all the racket.
This is just simply irresponsible and inconsiderate pet ownership. Regardless of whether you have an invisible fence or a rope, or other, it's your responsibility to always be aware of the location, behavior and nuisance potential to others. It's not the dog's fault; it's exclusively the fault of the owners of the dogs, and their liability.
Another observation is the increasing ignorance of pet owners who walk their dogs and allow their dogs to relieve themselves without the owner cleaning up. With the occasional snow on the ground, I have noticed several piles just left on the sidewalks.
All should know that is a violation of city ordinance, as well as an irresponsible and inconsiderate behavior on the part of the dog owner.
If there is a dog that is an annoyance, threat, or nuisance to you, try talking to the owner to correct the behavior. If that doesn't seem to work or you prefer to not realize a potentially uncomfortable or confrontational situation with a neighbor, contact the Saline Police Department or the city ordinance officer. They are more than willing to help, as I have already experienced through my discussions with them.
May I also suggest that you contact the members of City Council and ask that they review and revise ordinances that provide better guidelines on invisible fences; consider property frontage limitations, limit proximity to sidewalks and neighboring properties, and general responsibilities of owners to maintain high levels of assurance that pets cannot escape them or cause annoyances.
Your property and your right of peace and privacy should not be invaded by unruly, unsupervised and nuisance pets, where the real cause of the problem is irresponsible pet owners.
Hold them accountable for their pet's behavior, and them as pet owners to be responsible, courteous, and considerate pet owners and neighbors.
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