The rudeness of dog owners (05/07/07)

To the editor:

I have to make a comment, and I feel a large part of this community may share the same viewpoint.

The barking dogs are a nuisance preventing us from enjoying our home. We cannot step out into our backyard without two large, unattended, fenced in, and, in my opinion, neglected pets, barking their fool heads off constantly.

Many times these neighbors allow their dogs to bark constantly and without prevention measures taken all day and into the evening. It's a constant disruption and not to mention the smell over those hot and humid summer days! I have written this notice before in the hopes that our neighbors would be aware of the problem but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears ... and mine are going deaf from the disturbance.

I don't care if you're a doctor, lawyer, judge, etc. In this community, you are held to the same standards as the rest of us in terms of pet ownership.

First, your neighbors have a responsibility not to create or maintain a nuisance. We are all taxpayers and we all have every right to a peaceful home and environment.

Second, if people aren't able to give animals the degree of attention and care they need and deserve because you're too busy working, don't have the money, don't have the time - "every excuse in the book" - they should do themselves, the animals, and the neighborhood in general a favor and not have them in the first place.

I learned the hard way that in today's "it's all about me" society, going out of one's way to be considerate of others around me did little but turn me into a doormat and make me appear to be a pushover or somebody to be taken advantage of in the eyes of others.

I won't be deliberately inconsiderate, but my days of putting up with and making excuses for the thoughtless actions of neighbors (and their dogs) are long since finished. I have the right to the enjoyment of my share of space as well. Too many of those with the offending dogs feel as though everybody else around them relinquishes THEIR rights in order to compensate for the rights of the dog keeper.

There are many items on the market that these inconsiderate dog owners can invest in to create a more peaceful environment for their community and can be done in a humane way. They can invest in collars that go off when the dog barks, but instead of a shock, it sprays a citrus spray in the air. Apparently, dogs do not like the scent and it works as a tool for behavior modification. A web site they can go to is called "Citronella anti-bark collars"

I am sure there is a municipal code with an ordinance against the maintaining of dogs that intrude on the use and enjoyment of the other property owners here in Portland.

Maybe your paper should print that from time to time just as a reminder to the rights of non pet owners.

Sincerely,

Victoria Williams

Portland

Prom thanks

To the editor:

The Fort Recovery After-Prom Committee held a successful after-prom and wishes to thank the organizations, businesses, parents and individuals who helped in any way to ensure a safe and enjoyable night for our teens.

We would like to commend our teens who attended the after-prom on their good behavior and for making it a fun event.

Thanks go to the following organizations who contributed. American Legion Post 345, Fort Recovery Chamber of Commerce, VFW Post 6515, Knights of Columbus 3324, Lions Club, Fort Recovery F&AM Lodge, American Legion Auxiliary, Sportman's Club, Father Dorn, Fort Recovery Street Carts, F.O.R.T., Daughters of Isabella, Trinity Lutheran Church, Psi Iota Xi, and St. Marys Altar Sodality.

Thanks to the following businesses and individuals: Lamm's Insurance, Tom and Mary Pat Zitter, Cooper Farms, Fort Recovery Pak-A-Sak, Fort Recovery Shell, St. Henry Food and Shell station, Second National Bank, First Financial, Mercer Savings Bank, Fort Recovery Lumber, Coldwater Lumber, Ole Fort IGA, Tin Cupboard, The Mr. Shoppe, Big Al's Pizza, The Purple Post, Wal-Mart, KFC, McDonald's, Dairy Queen, Wendy's, Taco Bell, and Burger King.

Thanks to Cliff and Don Wendel and staff for the use of Miracle Lanes Bowling Alley, and for helping with food preparation. Thanks to Mike Hickerson for use of the money machine, and RJ the DJ, Ryan Steinbrunner, for the entertainment. And thanks for the continued support from Gary and Marge Wendel and Wendel Poultry for games and parking.

The Fort Recovery after-prom says thanks for your continued support in helping keep our kids safe on prom night.

Judy Sudhoff, for the Fort Recovery after-prom committee[[In-content Ad]]