04-11-2012, 06:17 PM
So....at the risk of taking this thread on another tangent, I think the law is flawed.
For background for those that may not know me, we live on 21 acres amidst other 20 acre parcels, not exactly crowded suburbia.
All my immediate neighbors except one have dogs, multiple dogs actually. I'd say for the most part they are all well cared for, none chained or abused. Oh and they ALL bark. I can guaranty that those howling in the middle of the night or baying at wild pigs are not mine, because mine are usually asleep on the bed. But anyway, the one neighbor without dogs is also my closest, maybe 500 ft. He has also apparently refined his dog identification skills to the point that the only barking dogs are mine. A couple years ago, about 5 minutes after leaving the house, he called complaining how my dogs had been barking the past half hour, when I told him I had been home until just 5 minutes before he hung up. Shortly thereafter, I installed 2 video cameras aimed where the dogs would be. Naturally, I get the call about my dogs and while he's complaining I pull up the live cams on my iPhone and ask which dog is barking, not that the answer mattered as each dog was clearing visible and behaving. He seemed to get irritated when I mentioned that I was watching them on live video and the one he named was actually lying down and I had never witnessed a dog lying down and barking the same time. He hung up. Our dogs had actually been to his house while in my truck a number of times, so he did know them individually.
So the county passes this new law, with the relaxed standard to involve the police. I guess he must have thought it was Christmas.
So, this past July, we have a houseful of guests and one Saturday morning my wife and all except me take off for Hilo farmers market. I later found out that wife waved as they passed his property. About 45 minutes later I see a police cruiser turn up my drive as I'm mowing down near my lower boundary, the dogs loose within our fenced yard, about 5-6 acres. Imagine my surprise when I see the cruiser turn into my gate. Now imagine, those of you who know my wife, my thoughts as I see this cop car and am overwhelmed with the thoughts of, " they must have been in some really bad accident if the cops are coming and they couldn't call on a cell" it seemed an eternity driving the tractor that several hundred feet. So while I was indeed relieved to be told they were there on a barking dog complaint, it still took a long time for my heart to settle anywhere near normal. Well, the last call I had was months before, even before the new law, so if that part is a requirements, guess a lie works too. Interesting in that all my dogs were there at the gate and although excited at the strangers, the officers noted their non barking behavior.
So, being a responsible owner, or at least attempting, all my dogs now wear electronic bark collars. Kinda pain to keep them charged and put them on and off every day, but effective.
I also took the time and effort to send a carefully worded letter to my other dog owning neighbors as to what transpired and my corrective actions.
Of course, I couldn't name the responsible neighbor, but I guess it's available to the right people as apparently my letter got wider circulation than I intended and several locals (not neighbors) have made reference to it while offering what might to called supporting words.
So while this may be a solution in town or close subdivision, it is inappropriate in a rural, ag setting.
Do I wake up, maybe even annoyed because a couple of dogs are yapping at 3AM, likely due to a pig? Yep, but I'm not about to call the cops. Oh but I will, and have called when I hear a gunshot close to my boundary. I'd love to be able to call someone about the coquis, the pigs do get loud at times, and the raucous bellowing from all the cattle, geez even middle of the night!!!!
End of rant.
David
Ninole Resident
Please visit vacation.ninolehawaii.com
For background for those that may not know me, we live on 21 acres amidst other 20 acre parcels, not exactly crowded suburbia.
All my immediate neighbors except one have dogs, multiple dogs actually. I'd say for the most part they are all well cared for, none chained or abused. Oh and they ALL bark. I can guaranty that those howling in the middle of the night or baying at wild pigs are not mine, because mine are usually asleep on the bed. But anyway, the one neighbor without dogs is also my closest, maybe 500 ft. He has also apparently refined his dog identification skills to the point that the only barking dogs are mine. A couple years ago, about 5 minutes after leaving the house, he called complaining how my dogs had been barking the past half hour, when I told him I had been home until just 5 minutes before he hung up. Shortly thereafter, I installed 2 video cameras aimed where the dogs would be. Naturally, I get the call about my dogs and while he's complaining I pull up the live cams on my iPhone and ask which dog is barking, not that the answer mattered as each dog was clearing visible and behaving. He seemed to get irritated when I mentioned that I was watching them on live video and the one he named was actually lying down and I had never witnessed a dog lying down and barking the same time. He hung up. Our dogs had actually been to his house while in my truck a number of times, so he did know them individually.
So the county passes this new law, with the relaxed standard to involve the police. I guess he must have thought it was Christmas.
So, this past July, we have a houseful of guests and one Saturday morning my wife and all except me take off for Hilo farmers market. I later found out that wife waved as they passed his property. About 45 minutes later I see a police cruiser turn up my drive as I'm mowing down near my lower boundary, the dogs loose within our fenced yard, about 5-6 acres. Imagine my surprise when I see the cruiser turn into my gate. Now imagine, those of you who know my wife, my thoughts as I see this cop car and am overwhelmed with the thoughts of, " they must have been in some really bad accident if the cops are coming and they couldn't call on a cell" it seemed an eternity driving the tractor that several hundred feet. So while I was indeed relieved to be told they were there on a barking dog complaint, it still took a long time for my heart to settle anywhere near normal. Well, the last call I had was months before, even before the new law, so if that part is a requirements, guess a lie works too. Interesting in that all my dogs were there at the gate and although excited at the strangers, the officers noted their non barking behavior.
So, being a responsible owner, or at least attempting, all my dogs now wear electronic bark collars. Kinda pain to keep them charged and put them on and off every day, but effective.
I also took the time and effort to send a carefully worded letter to my other dog owning neighbors as to what transpired and my corrective actions.
Of course, I couldn't name the responsible neighbor, but I guess it's available to the right people as apparently my letter got wider circulation than I intended and several locals (not neighbors) have made reference to it while offering what might to called supporting words.
So while this may be a solution in town or close subdivision, it is inappropriate in a rural, ag setting.
Do I wake up, maybe even annoyed because a couple of dogs are yapping at 3AM, likely due to a pig? Yep, but I'm not about to call the cops. Oh but I will, and have called when I hear a gunshot close to my boundary. I'd love to be able to call someone about the coquis, the pigs do get loud at times, and the raucous bellowing from all the cattle, geez even middle of the night!!!!
End of rant.
David
Ninole Resident
Please visit vacation.ninolehawaii.com
Ninole Resident