07-27-2009, 03:40 AM
The live-and-let-bark mentality in Hawaii is contempt for neighbors masquerading as culture. Any human activity that destroys the quiet enjoyment of your property is a nuisance and is illegal. Of course, enforcement is problematic. However, in the meantime we can avoid giving irresponsible pet owners a pass. It is hard to think of anything more irresponsible than housing your dogs on a property where no one lives. It is inhumane, by any civilized standard of humanity. The Bible instructs that we are the stewards of other living creatures. It also tells us we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. If you follow those two rules, you will tell your dogs to shut up.
Allowing your dogs to bark to the point where they disturb the peace of the neighbors is a hostile act that rightly brings the condemnation of neighbors. Dogs can --and should be-- controlled. If they are not, they can do more than constitute a nuisance. They can also endanger themselves, people and other dogs.
Because I have respect for my neighbors, because I want to protect my dogs and because I believe you should do unto others as you would have them do unto you, I would never house my dogs at a distant location, never allow my dogs to playfully chase pigs on the edge of the forest (and then wonder where they could be), I would never allow my dogs to bark at night unless there was someone on the property, I would not permit them to roam free and if my neighbor asked for some cooperation on any of these issues, I would provide it.
Allowing your dogs to bark to the point where they disturb the peace of the neighbors is a hostile act that rightly brings the condemnation of neighbors. Dogs can --and should be-- controlled. If they are not, they can do more than constitute a nuisance. They can also endanger themselves, people and other dogs.
Because I have respect for my neighbors, because I want to protect my dogs and because I believe you should do unto others as you would have them do unto you, I would never house my dogs at a distant location, never allow my dogs to playfully chase pigs on the edge of the forest (and then wonder where they could be), I would never allow my dogs to bark at night unless there was someone on the property, I would not permit them to roam free and if my neighbor asked for some cooperation on any of these issues, I would provide it.