02-21-2012, 01:38 PM
It is important to focus on what the laws are here, what can be done here, and what the attitude is here. OTOH, this is a widespread issue and there may be stuff to be learned from other battles.
I have been aware of negligent dog owner issues for a long time because my mother was a lone crusader in her community 25 years ago. She rallied like minds, they started working with the police to try to raise their awareness. Police did not want to "waste" their time, and the burden was on citizens to record unlawful behavior and get it before a judge. She organized volunteers to help people get through the difficult complaint progress and to go to court with people who felt it was all too difficult.
I think she did make a difference, but it didn't come easily or fast. The culture there was very similar to Hawai'i as to complete obliviousness to dogs on the part of their owners and hostility towards anyone who said boo.
It's an important battle and I hope you all help each other, because I know from experience watching my mom that it is a tough fight to do on your own. (I say "you" because so far I have been lucky, but we do have some roaming neighbor dogs that come on my property, and I don't like it, but don't even know who the owners are.)
RIP Marc Hansen, another fine musician gone (Hansen & Raitt)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_2nxZ3Wrqw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTReV9kDS3I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRTULLjILAg&feature=related
http://web.me.com/cayurt/Yurt_People/history.html
I have been aware of negligent dog owner issues for a long time because my mother was a lone crusader in her community 25 years ago. She rallied like minds, they started working with the police to try to raise their awareness. Police did not want to "waste" their time, and the burden was on citizens to record unlawful behavior and get it before a judge. She organized volunteers to help people get through the difficult complaint progress and to go to court with people who felt it was all too difficult.
I think she did make a difference, but it didn't come easily or fast. The culture there was very similar to Hawai'i as to complete obliviousness to dogs on the part of their owners and hostility towards anyone who said boo.
It's an important battle and I hope you all help each other, because I know from experience watching my mom that it is a tough fight to do on your own. (I say "you" because so far I have been lucky, but we do have some roaming neighbor dogs that come on my property, and I don't like it, but don't even know who the owners are.)
RIP Marc Hansen, another fine musician gone (Hansen & Raitt)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_2nxZ3Wrqw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTReV9kDS3I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRTULLjILAg&feature=related
http://web.me.com/cayurt/Yurt_People/history.html