This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
The Barking Lot
THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST: We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors.
TODAY: Snow, possibly 1-2 inches. seasonal temperatures. "F"
SUNDAY: Snow showers. Colder than Saturday. "F"
“OK we know you’re in there… Come out with your paws up and your tail between your legs!!! That’s it… nice and slow… put the squeaky toy down and no one will get hurt.”
“But officer, I can explain! Max was just doing his job! He was protecting our family! He heard a strange noise in the garage and wanted to alert us.”
“Mister, you have the RIGHT to remain silent. Your dog, on the other hand, is ORDERED to remain silent. If Max disobeys this order he will be sentenced to debarking.”
Sound as far-fetched as a Frisbee on a day with 45 MPH winds? Maybe not. Those Loony Toon bureaucrats in California with nothing better to do are going to start enforcing a new Anti-Nuisance Ordinance beginning next month. Is your dog barking too much ACCORDING TO YOUR NEIGHBORS? Get ready to fork over up to $500 for each “violation.”
Never mind that there are already laws on the books in Riverside County that address this issue. Let’s take the resources to create and enforce NEW legislation that by comparison won’t necessarily change the dog’s behavior, it will only cost its owner more money. Or could it change the dog’s behavior? From a CBS News article:
“Remedies might include obedience training, containing the dog within an enclosed space, such as a garage, restricting the amount of time the animal is allowed outside -- or debarking the dog so it doesn't vocalize beyond a whisper.” OK, so my neighbor thinks my dog barks too much… let me just take it to the vet to have it’s vocal cords ripped out. There’s a great solution! You can read the entire article here.
Of course there are no statistics offered as to how much this new system will cost the taxpayers. It’s just one more example of government stepping in and over-regulating when it is not necessary.
In the City of Milwaukee, the Department of Neighborhood Services follows this process:
BARKING DOGS OR OTHER ANIMAL NOISES
All animal noise complaints should be referred to the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS). A letter stating the animal's address, the complainant's name, address and phone number and a general description of the problem must be sent to DNS–Nuisance and Environmental Health Division, 4001 S. 6th St., Milwaukee, WI 53221. After the DNS verifies both addresses, a warning letter will be typed. The inspector will attempt to personally serve the letter on the animal owner along with literature and a copy of the applicable ordinance. If the inspector cannot make contact after a few tries, the letter will be mailed to the animal owner's home. The complainant will then be sent a follow-up letter informing he/she of what was sent to the animal owner along with a petition for commencement of prosecution. If the noise problem continues after the complainant receives the petition, the complainant must document dates and times that it is occurring and return it to DNS. He/she should also try to get at least one person from another household, who is bothered by the noise, to sign the petition. Once DNS receives the petition a citation will be issued. A CITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED UNLESS THE COMPLAINANT IS WILLING TO APPEAR IN THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. To make further complaints call DNS at 286-2268.
Check out the sentence at the bottom in CAPITAL LETTERS. It seems to be perfectly reasonable to me to expect the person complaining about my dog to show up at the hearing. I could have a neighbor who dislikes dogs on principal. The fool could just be a “cat person.” Suddenly Neighbor Of The Year is calling Animal Services once a week saying that Max is at it again, and I’m trying to figure out if I should take the fine out of his Doggy Treat fund.
It must be nice for California to have so much time & money on its hands that they can revise a way to regulate dog barking. It’s a good thing they’ve solved all the issues for homeless and unemployed persons, and that immigration is as tight as a Master Lock.
---Jennifer Fischer
Thanks, Jennifer. As far-fetched as a Frisbee on a day with 45 MPH winds? I like it.
Time once again for DOGS IN THE NEWS, canines that made headlines the past week.
Let's start off with a really nice, warm, fuzzy story. Tanker is headed for fame and a starring role in movie, despite having just two legs.
More good news......Michou, an abandoned miniature poodle is recovering. And Java is safe and sound, too.
Dear Mr. President: Pick a mutt. The experts say, take your time, but the choice is down to two breeds. And how much will that dog cost?
Jennifer has written about our neighbor, George and his great dog, Mickey who has been spotted this winter wearing sweaters. If George tries that in Britain, he could go to jail.
We all know that dogs eat some weird things. Have you ever heard of this?
Who knew that besides a mother, father, spouse, and offspring that dogs would also be responsible for an award-winning acting effort.
That's it for this week. Jennifer and I thank all of you dog lovers and just plain This Just In patrons for stopping by. We close with news of yet another dog flick that just opened this weekend in theaters. Here's the trailer for "Hotel for Dogs."
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