Daily my children walk to school past a rental property (on their unshoveled
sidewalks, I might add). Two dogs, a puppy and an adult, are chained out in
the unprotected yard rain, shine, snow, whatever. They whine and bark
constantly for attention and basic care. Ever tried explaining poor decisions
on the part of adults to the irrefutable logic of a 6 and 10 year-old? Then
you try to back that up with Idaho law and you really look like a dolt.
I talked with Bill Clark of the Humane Society. He said he'd pass it on to
the animal control officer, BUT... In Idaho it seems, the only requirement an
owner must show for appropriate care of a dog is that they must have provided
food and water for the animal within the last 48 hours.
Tell me it ain't so. Tell me Moscow has seen fit to pass ordinances that
require shelter and a secure enclosure for privately owned dogs kept in the
city. Afterall, the USDA has banned tethering of all dogs under their control
under any circumstances. It seems the practice is considered inhumane and an
inappropriate way to keep animals--even those destined for experimentation.
Yes, the neighbors and I have sicked the PO-lice on the renters for the
barking but little has changed. In fact conditions have worsened with the
weather.
Has anyone else dealt with this before and what was the outcome? Or am I
barking up the wrong tree? I'm dog-tired and sick-as-a-dog while doggedly
pursuing a solution for this before the dog days of summer roll around again.
Don't make me use another cliche... doggone it!
Charlie Powell