Sunday, November 13, 2005

Dog Haters In Your Neighborhood

I figure there is at least one Dog Hater in every neighborhood or apartment complex.

Dog Haters are often busybodies, getting into other people’s business. I have found them typically to be obsessively angry people. Things just irritate them and make them angry.

I generally find these folks get most irritated by:

a.) Barking Dogs: Dog Haters are obsessive about barking dogs. I’m not excusing owners who let their dogs bark and bark all day long. The Dog Haters go wacko if they even hear a single bark out of your dog. I know of one case where the Dog Hater got angry because he could hear the owner’s dog barking INSIDE the owner’s home, which dogs will do from time to time, even though the barking was barely audible, and you had to be outside and very near the owner’s home to hear the sound. This Dog Hating Guy would be found lurking around the side of the owner’s home. This guy wanted to cause trouble.
b.) Dog Poop in the neighborhood. I do believe you should pick up your dog’s poop on and off your property. Dog poop is really irritating to other people, even if they like dogs. But there is a limit. Dog urine on a publicly owned telephone pole isn’t a neighborhood nuisance. Dog poop on your yard isn’t a nuisance to normal neighbors, so long as it isn’t completely unsightly or piled up. Dog poop in public places should be picked up… but sometimes it isn’t feasible to do it, or you have run out of bags to pick the poop up, or your dog had so much diarrhea that you can’t get it all up. Some Dog Haters will make it a crusade to get rid of the dog poop in their neighborhoods. You can get caught up in their obsession, and get unfairly targeted. I know of one case where a nutty woman paid a private detective (figure she was spending at least $250 /hr) to spy on her neighbors to see who was pooping their dogs along the surrounding streets. She even installed video cameras! If you happened to walk by her house with a dog, she would run out at you and start berating you for having a dog. She was nuts. Her husband was also a millionaire, so she had lots of money to burn on this kind of harassment. You could see her part the curtains and peer out at you if you walked by her house, whether you had a dog or not. But, it’s interesting. She also had kids (what man in his right mind would marry a person like this, and even worse, have kids?). And they weren’t allowed to have any friends over to visit, and the kids were over-managed by this crazy woman. These kinds of folks are sick in the head.
c.) Certain dog breeds. Some folks just don’t like certain breeds of dog. And it doesn’t have to be breeds that you might figure they’d hate. No, it can be any type of dog: Boxers, Dalmatians, Collies, Standard Poodles… I’ve seen it all. If these weirdoes find out you have one in the neighborhood, they will find a way to get at you and your dog.
d.) Something else they don’t like about you, so they get back at you by going after your dog. It could be the way you keep your lawn, the fact you have noisy kids, a dispute over a right of way, etc. Could be anything.

The typical Dog Hater has emotional problems. These folks are troubled, and they will obsessively and aggressively provoke fights and retaliate against other people.

They definitely don’t have a “live and let live” attitude.

I’m the type of person to leave other people alone, especially neighbors. Let them be. I have my things that I don’t like, and others have the things they don’t like, so I let them do those things that irritate me since I wouldn’t want them to bug me for the things I do… kind of a version of the Golden Rule.

I’ve heard of Dog Haters playing loud music, blaring piercing whistles, shooting off guns, running motorized toy cars along fences, making false claims to the police for noise and dog biting incidents, just to start a fight. You name the type of harassment, I’ve probably heard about it. They do this stuff to set your dogs off or to get you in trouble. They are also obsessive about recordkeeping. They will record every perceived rule infraction, and false charge, on a ledger… which they will then turn into Animal Control or your Homeowner’s Association, in order to get you in trouble.

The worst ones are highly aggressive. They will file lawsuits, get in fights, try to correct your dog when you aren’t around (I won’t mention methods, so as to not give a crazy idiot any ideas), and ultimately kill your dog.

Here is a recent dog poisoning case. You can bet the person who did this is highly disturbed… and a Dog Hater.

Two recent incidents of dog poisonings at neighboring homes along Mulberry Street in Belle Vernon are being investigated by Southwest Regional police

Think about it. This Dog Hater is now a criminal. The dogs were a 4 MONTH OLD Boxer puppy and a 2 year old Rottweiler. This kind of person is a danger to the community, not just to the dogs involved.

Dog owners are sometimes the problem. They need to get their acts together and not irritate their neighbors.

But some folks are just plain nuts. You can bet a good number of animal complaints are by Dog Haters. These folks are dangerous to the community, and they need to be locked away. Maybe in a hospital for the criminally insane.

If you own dogs for enough years, you’ll run across a handful of Dog Haters. You can count on it. You need to be prepared for it. My recommendations:

a.) Stay away from the Dog Haters
b.) Be polite and respectful
c.) Protect your pets
d.) Train and supervise your dog
e.) If the Dog Hater starts going after you start keeping detailed records, install videocams and microphones around your property (because you’ll find them lurking around your home, and even trespassing), install a fence, put up No Trespassing signs so you can get them arrested if they get in too close, file a complaint with animal control if this person starts to harass your dog, consider moving to a new place, and be prepared to get an attorney. The fights with these nutcases can evolve into a full blown war with your neighbor, including an expensive civil or criminal lawsuit.

You can’t win with someone who isn’t right in the head. Get away from them. But also, fight back hard and get them tossed into psychological counseling, or even jail, if you have to. These folks are more common than you might think. Experience tells me that you have a Dog Hater living near you, whether you know it or not.

17 comments:

Unknown said...

It's people like the two commenters before me who are extremely troubled. You need to lighten up and not be so self centered. I was never a "dog person" until I recently got my first puppy. I live in a dog-friendly community where ALMOST everyone is friendly and animal loving. Dogs aren't perfect, that is true, but the ARE aware and intelligent and capable of learning and unconditional love.

I ALWAYS pick up after my puppy and she is in obedience training with me now. I am always cautious not to allow her free roam of the neighborhood and always keep her on a leash. She does bark when I first leave for work because she is so young and misses me, but this soon subsides and she is tranquil for the remainder of the day.

Our places are poured concrete and hardly any sound ever passes between our townhome walls. I have a psychotic neighbor who claims to hear my puppy barking and that it disturbs him. He is the neighbor furthest from my unit and those directly adjecent to me have both told me they hear nothing.

Anyone who could hate a loving, harmless little creature, or worse, injure one, doesn't deserve to roam this earth with them. I understand people who may be allergic to dogs and therefore keep away from them, but people who just hate dogs have dubious characters at best.

I don't trust anyone who simply hates dogs.

Having a dog IS a huge responsibility but so is being a human being on this earth. You have the responsibility of being HUMANE as well as allowing your fellow neighbors to live in peace.

ooowee@gmail.com said...

Thank goodness there are communities where dogs are prohibido...It wouldn't bother me If I never saw a dog again..I don't hate them, but I definitly don't want to be around any dogs...they are just not my style..so please keep your dog out of my way..thanks!!!

Unknown said...

That is precisely why I live in a dog-friendly community!

If you don't want to be around dogs, you definitely should NOT live in a very obviously and openly dog-friendly community and if you still choose to live in one then in my honest opinion, you have no room to bitch about it, really.

The more I read over what darreaver said, the more idiotic it sounds... I can't believe any human being would be ignorant enough to believe that dogs don't think, reason and feel and that they have no self awareness. You couldn't BE more wrong...

As for jmm924, the reason dogs growl and snarl at you right off the bat is that you are afraid and they sense and smell your fear... People who are overrun by fear and lack self confidence around animals will generate instinctive behavior in those animals, such as growling, because dogs instinctually understand that many humans who give off the scent of fear will also often try to harm them. It is simply their defense mechanism. Dogs are much more intuitive than most people realize.

Fortunately, my idiot neighbor has finally let it go with my dog. I think he finally realized that she was just a baby and eventually would grow out of it (which she has). I mean for god's sake, what would a neighbor do if I had a newborn at home - they cry constantly at times!

Yes, there are dog owners who are callous and insensitive to the fact that others do not wish to accidentally step in their dog's poop. However, not ALL OF US are that way.

Occasionally, I take my dog to work with me and even there, when I take her out to do her business, I always clean up after her (even though here, no one would care).

It's not about caring more about your dog than other humans. People who don't mind their dogs and pick up after them are generally just very selfish, self-centered and insensitive people.

Long story short, if you don't like dogs, don't live in dog-friendly areas.

cindy said...

I get really tired of my character coming into question whenever I mention that I don't care for dogs! Why are dog lovers so needy when it comes to other people's feelings towards their dog? I didn't just wake up one morning & decide to hate dogs! I've hated them for as long as I can remember, even as a kid, so get over yourselves, dog-lovers! Not a personal attack on you, okay!! I have a loving heart, just not towards dirty, smelly dogs! I also get tired of the cat/dog double standard in our society! I love cats, but I don't get all pissy when I meet someone who doesn't! So, why is it, when I say to certain people that I don't like dogs, they look horrified, as if I just confessed to murder?! Let me feel how I feel, without making me feel bad for it!!!

Unknown said...

Anyone who outright says they "HATE" dogs has serious issues. I question anyone who HATES a harmless living thing.

Seriously! said...

Ok. Enough already. A dog is not an accessory, nor is it a child. I am not a dog hater. I feel simply that it is a little sick that people now cloth animals. They spend more on a dog's Vet bill for the year while they let their own health slide. Why do people love dogs so much. I think I have the answer. They care for these animals, feed them and clothe them. Dogs don't talk back and you don't have to pay for their college. They return affection and lick your face. All the "Dog Lovers" who I have come in contact with have a serious problem in social situations. Either being really needy. or so messed up that they are not self aware. The thing that has set me really on fire about this whole thing is Sarah Mclachlen or whatever her name is putting a beloved Christmas carol as the music to a commercial about dog rescue. What about people?! What is wrong with the World. I don't see any commercials on TV about adopting little children in the US. Sure you see plenty about African children and other countries, but where are the commercials for Orphans of Katrina! I grew up with 3 great dogs. Pure and cross breeds. I like dogs. I don't love them. Love is a strong human emotion and just the fact that someone says they love dogs is too much. Dogs don't love you. They are faithful and loyal because you feed them and rub their stomachs. That's it. Enough with the the little dogs in purses and strollers. Enough

Seriously! said...

Ok. Enough already. A dog is not an accessory, nor is it a child. I am not a dog hater. I feel simply that it is a little sick that people now cloth animals. They spend more on a dog's Vet bill for the year while they let their own health slide. Why do people love dogs so much. I think I have the answer. They care for these animals, feed them and clothe them. Dogs don't talk back and you don't have to pay for their college. They return affection and lick your face. All the "Dog Lovers" who I have come in contact with have a serious problem in social situations. Either being really needy. or so messed up that they are not self aware. The thing that has set me really on fire about this whole thing is Sarah Mclachlen or whatever her name is putting a beloved Christmas carol as the music to a commercial about dog rescue. What about people?! What is wrong with the World. I don't see any commercials on TV about adopting little children in the US. Sure you see plenty about African children and other countries, but where are the commercials for Orphans of Katrina! I grew up with 3 great dogs. Pure and cross breeds. I like dogs. I don't love them. Love is a strong human emotion and just the fact that someone says they love dogs is too much. Dogs don't love you. They are faithful and loyal because you feed them and rub their stomachs. That's it. Enough with the the little dogs in purses and strollers. Enough

Unknown said...

It's "enough" because you say it's enough? Sorry dude but you're the weird one here. I love my two dogs. Are they my entire life? NO. Do they love me back? Yes. If you don't think so, you obviously don't KNOW dogs at all. They have just as wide a range of emotions as humans do, as a matter of fact.

Also, YOU are being very stereotypical "dog-lovers-hater" by generalizing the way you have in your statements.

I know people with dogs and without dogs - having dogs doesn't make you antisocial. YOU make you antisocial (or past experiences or your parents not socializing you, or you have issues and don't know how to socialize, etc.)...

As a matter of fact, my hubby and I travel - we go out - we do stuff - we have bunches of very nice, fun, funny friends. We don't sit home day and night (not to mention we both have full time jobs) cooing over our dogs.

Honestly - what planet are you from that you make these sweeping generalizations and think they're actually true?

You have a screw loose. It's ok, just admit it.

As to dressing dogs - not my thing. Dogs have fur - they don't need clothes - but hell to each their own. I'm not about to condemn someone for it if they're treating their animals well.

Maybe you need to get a SOUL and quit stereotyping animal lovers. The way people behave towards animals says A LOT about the heart and soul within. Most people I know who have strong opinions (disliking animals) tend to have psychological issues and/or past trauma which led up to it.

Perhaps you should get off your high-horse or soap box and go see a psychologist. Sounds like it would do you a world of good.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I love dogs but I hate dog poop. It's not like you leave a fresh spot behind when you pick up dog poop. If a dog pooped in your kitchen, you certainly wouldn't just pick it up and walk barefoot on that spot. I live in a neighborhood with a lot of dogs and I can't allow kids to roll around and play on the front yard because I know that it's a given that at least several dogs have urinated and defecated on it at some point during the day. The author's cavalier attitude "Dog poop in public places should be picked up… but sometimes it isn’t feasible to do it, or you have run out of bags to pick the poop up, or your dog had so much diarrhea that you can’t get it all up" is a very selfish because she's taking the attitude that other people are supposed to just tolerate the mess her animals leave behind.

rightwinger said...

i adopted a good dog 2 years ago who i love very much and any coldblooded aggressive dog hater who lurks around my home to try to hurt or kill my dog will either get the living hell beat out of him by me or blown away since i also love and own guns to protect my home. take that as a strong warning all you dog haters with any bad ideas!!

Unknown said...

I love throwing a poison laden sausage to any dog I come across. Dogs should be limited to the blind, the police and military, and Quarantine.

Unknown said...

Dear Henry - one can only hope that someone does the rest of the world a favor and throws YOU a poison laden sausage. Savage morons don't deserve to live either. It's people like you who make the entire species look bad.

Unknown said...

Dog lovers are absolute scum!
There are millions of individuals
of our own species who face death
by starvation, and yet these cunts
are only too happy to breed dogs
for their own emotional dependence!
and worst of all is that you don't
even actually care about your dogs!
You care about it's looks and breeding it to look more like what you want it to look! Dog inbreeding
is a serious nuisance to the very animal it self!

Unknown said...

The major reason for hating dogs is that "lovers' tend to pick animals they cannot control, think there’s a psychological factor involved there. The dog pulls the owner down the street, when the dog jumps on well, me for example; the owner thinks it’s cute. What it seems you fell to realize is that I have a choice, I don't have to like dogs, I don’t have to pet them, and I am seriously thinking of getting maze because it is ridiculous! But this doesn't mean I have issues, it means I don't want the slob and etc on me. A dog, cat, whatever is, dare I say it: an animal, not a distant relation of the human persuasion, an animal; of which I CHOOSE to not cohabitate with. I am not angry, I did get enough attention growing up, I have a vision that is coming to pass, I'm employed, intelligent, and mentally stable. Your comments to some I am sure are offensive, personally, I just think you cannot understand, which is very sad because you and your animals are not the only living beings on the planet. A planet where not everyone HAS to accept dogs. This place is disgusting enough (people have to be reminded to wash their hands, etc) while there’s dog poop everywhere, even downtown Chicago now, rush hour is an obstacle course at times, because tourist can’t leave their animals at home, so they leave us gifts; is that cute?. I shouldn't have run neighbors (who ignore our sign) off my property cause they are too lazy and selfish to go the unbelievably smelly doggy park 2 blocks away, one should think about the rain and snow at 11pm before they buy little fluffy... I shouldn't have to listen to the neighbor’s dog barking at 3am. But you won't understand these things. Apparently my views are those of someone who hates dogs, has issues and is unhappy. Ah, but that’s ok, because I will never understand why someone chooses to live with an animal. But please don't try to explain it to me because I really don't care. Whether you want to admit it or not, the truth of the matter is no one should have to live with with an invasion of YOUR lifestyle.

not a hater said...

oh my gosh. I was looking for some advice by goggling dog haters and this was the column that popped up. I didn't realize that many pepole would go out of their way to comment on a really nicely put together post. I appreciate the advice from the blogger. I had a run in this morning from an angry neighbor that really should mind his own business. Glad he doesn't install cameras in the neighborhood, that i know of :)

Anonymous said...

I am not a dog hater, nut I would rather not live in a community of dogs. Unfortunately, they are hard to find and councils do not zone areas as being totally pet free. I can understand people hating dogs because they have cost me over $40,000.00 in moving costs, legal costs and such emotional hardship when forced to endure the torturous ignorances of pet owners. We had a great home, only to be wrecked by horrid pet owners.

To catagories dog haters and write such rubbidh about them is insane and is the act of a person obsessed by dogs. Dog hateres may not be dog killers. But to be honest, why do dog haters become dog hater? Clearly because a dog owner somewhere has let their dog create an antisocial environment and scorched the earth with their hate and selfishness. Do not blame dog haters, blame dog owners that have absolutely no care for the people around them. You know who they are, and yet, you dog owners do not support laws that would stop you all being tarred with the same brush. Some people just shouldn't own a dog, and that is clear with the numbers of barking and dog attacks around the world.

Education, licensing and proper law enforcement is needed.