NOISE ORDINANCE FOR NEIGHBORS WHO BARK

by Karen Rhodes, Family Dog Consultant, SAAB Member

Lately it seems that the impositions of “Noise Ordinances” are goals for the entitled and politically connected who don’t like or know the nature of dogs.

There are already laws against disturbing the peace and there are laws against harassment. Dogs are the next targets. People using town rules and political power as a conflict resolution solution to a neighbor’s complaint is an obvious objective in this type of proposal.

Ordinances demonstrating the ideals of a chosen few have been discussed at the State levels. Imposing your visions on others is not appropriate nor is it the American way, it is a bully in politically connected clothing, setting personal agendas.

This is happening everywhere. Is the “noise ordinance” a Trojan horse for even more and larger animal control efforts through noise abatements?

I find many noises ordinances as offensive as the noises I put up with on a daily basis. Try living near a golf course on tournament day, on a busy road or near a shopping center, that’s co-existence. Children squeal and cry, dogs bark, cats use the neighbor’s garden as a litter box, motor vehicles make mechanical noises.

Although the noises are annoying, I choose to ignore them on my side of the property line. Granted there will be people who abuse common courtesy and allow their pets to raise havoc but generally this is not the case.

I find it odd so many people are selective on which noises they find pleasurable and which ones cause them malaise. A northern county in Vermont just banned gasoline leaf blowers because they make “too much noise” – only electric ones are permissible. Leaf blowers are used during the day for a small amount of time seasonally. How ridiculous, so what is next?

Ban noise? Limit people enjoying the outdoors, hunting, fishing, having picnics and parties, playing musical instruments. Ban children playing outside, gardening and other activities which don’t involve sitting in front of a computer screen living a virtual life.

I once had a neighbor who was hell bent on teasing my dog and in turn complaining to the town officials when she barked. This carried on for some time until I discovered his taunts.

It stopped abruptly when I suggested it is unwise to tease a dog who weighs as much as he does.

To impose your values on others by creating laws and ordinances to benefit the agendas of a few is not American freedom. This modality uses power and control for personal purpose. Try politely discussing your objections to another person’s behavior, it can and usually does work. Having that skill set can improve your relationship, that’s the neighborly way.

If your neighbor’s behavior is atrocious and unrelenting you may want to consider other options. Community means everyone, not just a few entitled individuals looking for legal mechanism to impose their idealism of freedom on others.

Sadly we are all seeing a lot of this type of “democracy” now where if you don’t agree with my lifestyle you are called derogatory names and then the tyrannical will use their power to get what they want and to hell with you, your rights and your freedoms.

It takes all kinds of people to make a community with each and every voice carrying the same weight, regardless of resources, status, or affluence. I am asking dog owners not to buy into these personal vendettas by bullies who wish to impose their personal power or desires upon people who love and own dogs.

When one dog barks you don’t kick the whole kennel, not that a barking dog should be abused (it’s an analogy). Try friendly reason, bake the neighbor a cake, ask their advice on something, go all out and see if that works.

Also become involved in town business and vote out the politicians who feel the need to want to control every aspect of your life, for their idea of the “greater good”.

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