04|01|09
Barbara "BJ" Andrews, Editor-In-Chief
The Maynard Collie Case of Feb. 2009 was classic
Dog Limit Law. Part 1Ref #1 involved a small NC town that sought
to force a dog owner to give up her dogs following complaint charges brought by
the neighbors the collie owner called “the neighbors from hell.”
Having received solid evidence from a reporter in the court
room, we called Mrs. Maynard. She was completely
convincing so we decided to run the story.
We then received emails from residents who
said coverage of the Maynard case was biased and inaccurate,
alleging that she owned twice the number of dogs she claimed and
that the barking collies were not “house dogs” as stated in our interview. We asked for substantiation as
to the number of dogs she owned and received this photo.
(click the photo to enlarge and see
9 barking dogs)
Well they say your eyes don't lie so in the interest of
fairness and accuracy, we let the neighbor tell the story
their way...
“I
recently read that you were pretty much defending this
woman. Anyway here is a picture dated just 4 months ago and
she has 9 NINE LOVELY BARKING DOGS... AND she lost her State
Appeals case last week. So we
Nashville NC citizens, all 150 that signed a petition to
have her Barking Dogs removed, must have been right.”
There followed several email exchanges with Nashville residents.
One reader went on to state “You have NO IDEA what the
residents of Nashville have been through because of Ms
Maynard’s barking Collie Dogs. None of us hate
dogs… actually the ones that took out complaints on Maynard
all have dogs… I have a dog myself and love her as a child.
The problem here is Maynard has NO RESPECT for her
neighbors. She lets these dogs bark day and night. She boxes
them up in this little 8 x 8 building/fence area the
furthest point from her house and as close as she can to all
her neighbors and lets them bark… she doesn’t want to hear
them either… she needs to put them all under her own window
for a few days/nights.”
Those allegations are the reason communities and
neighborhoods form bad opinions about “dog breeders.” Too
often, we are guilty as charged. But there is more to this
story. A lot more as it turns out.
Regulations and laws increase proportionate to the increase
in our population. Personally, I am of the opinion that
Americans should be allowed to do whatever they choose so
long as there is no actual harm to others. That would
include having as many animals as desired. But that is where
“justice” becomes a grey area. The booming base when a car
pulls up next to me with stereo blaring could cause me to
have a wreck. Power saws, auto repair shops, junk yards,
race tracks and unruly children annoy other people as much
as barking dogs. Yet they exist and can not be shut down if
“grandfathered” in. Especially the children who pitch
temper tantrums in Wal*Mart! Such is life.
Nuclear power plants and military
bases still exist in urban areas and people accept them
because of the benefits. Animal lovers see no distinction
and in fact, pets provide proven health benefits for owners.
They teach youngsters about kindness and responsibility.
Maybe that’s why urban crime rates are ten times that of
suburban communities.
Factories still pollute streams and well water as do dairy
operations. Pig farms produce malodorous environments but we
appreciate the products, milk and bacon. More to
the point, people buy property next to a kennel (drive-in
movie, flea market, poultry farm, etc) and then complain.
In the collie case, it seems Ms. Maynard lied about
the number of dogs she owns which brings into question her
other statements during the interview. Perhaps that is not
her grandparents property. Perhaps there were no dogs there
before the neighbors moved in.
The NC Court Of Appeals upheld the lower court findings;
http://www.aoc.state.nc.us/www/public/coa/opinions/2009/pdf/080847-1.pdf
The courts must regulate when neighbors can’t resolve their
differences but those on the Bench should have
logic and common sense in addition to the law books. We hope Ms.
Maynard and her neighbors apply common sense and
respect for each other and find a solution which does not
mean death for those collie dogs!
If in fact, this is just about barking dogs, all parties should agree to
surgical debarking of the dogs instead of the arbitrary application of
meaningless numbers.
Evidence notwithstanding, TheDogPress stands firm on this;
dog owners have the same rights as utility companies and
factories. Barking dogs are indeed a nuisance and dog owners
must respect their neighbors but there must be give and take
because benefit vs. annoyance leaves no room for debate.
Dogs
have been helpmates to mankind since the first primitive
canines forsake the wild to become our best friend.
If we are really the superior species, it is up to us to
find an equitable solution.
Ref #1
Dog Limit Laws Part 1 - unfair to pre-existing Rescue Groups and
the Constitutional Rights of all dog owners, the enforcement of Dog
Limit Laws raise taxes for everyone. Why not fine those who allow
dogs to stray or bark?
You've
heard a reasonable debate but now comes more
evidence. We heard from people who live there. Neighbors
who know Ms. Maynard, know her dogs. We received copies of the
detective's reports, more pictures. So go to the
Maynard Collie
Case Part 3 and you be the judge.
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https://www.thedogpress.com/DogSense/Dog-limit-law-case-Collies-b09A04.asp
