Acts of dogs

A couple of canine issues have had some members of my local community exercised lately, and I’m advised it got rather heated on the Facebook page. So heated in fact that the admins decided to take the respective posts down. That in itself is a pity given we’ve been a close-knit and supportive bunch for many years and are unused to abusive comments about neighbours. Development approvals have seen that friendly relationship shift a little of late with many more homes being built and an influx of new residents. Without a local café/shop anymore, that provided a valuable community hub and meeting place, some of that former social cohesion has been lost.

But with more people there are also more dogs, and as anyone who’s ever owned a dog knows, they can bark. Often, and for lengthy periods, and sometimes at night. Barking dogs is one of the issues that’s a problem. Dogs bark if people walk past the property – and ours is a semi-rural suburb. That’s understandable and it usually stops once one has walked past. It’s when the barking doesn’t stop that problems can arise – even when the owners are at home. And that’s been at the root of the latest conflict. It’s to be hoped the situation can be resolved without the need for Council intervention, but it’s a sad reflection of the growing lack of consideration some people have towards others.

This lack of courtesy extends towards a failure on the part of some dog owners to’ pick up after their dog’. Piles of dog poo on the roadsides has become an unpleasant sight, and they’re on the increase. My response was to pen a poem which I posted on the Facebook page. It remains to be seen whether it will make a difference, and prompt any anonymous recalcitrants to remember to stuff a poo bag or three in their pockets before walking their pooches.

I've said it before, now I'm saying it again,

when walking your dog - whether women or men,

before leaving home, please check that you do

have bags in your pocket to pick up their poo

I know it's a message that's been said before

but dog poo's a health risk - the science is sure

it's also unsightly, and unpleasant to see

much more obvious than when your dog does a pee

so please, dog walking neighbours, always check to be sure

your pockets hold some poo bags

before you walk out the door.