To the editor:
Did you know that in order for RDCO Dog Control to enforce a barking dog violation in the City of Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, West Kelowna, or Central Okanagan East and West, and to convict a barking dog owner, RDCO needs two different property owners to complain about the barking. RDCO Dog Control also need both complainants to get a visual of the barking dog.
The neighbours complaining about the barking may have to go out to try and see the dog barking in the middle of the night in their pjs, so the complainants can identify which dog in which yard may be barking. In many cases complainants can't even see a dog barking due to obstructions or it is dark. RDCO Dog Control officers tell complainants to take a photo or video the barking dog, but this puts complainants safety at risk, and exposes who is complaining about the barking dog. It also puts fear into other neighbours who believe there may be a prowler, Peeping Tom or stalker in the neighbourhood. I feel RDCO Dog Control should be the ones getting the visual of a barking dog, how about you?
If you don't want Peeping Toms or stalkers or prowlers in your neighbourhood, seeking a barking dog, please call RDCO chief administrative officer Brian Reardon, 250-763-4918, and your city or rural area director or councillor to let them know you don't want your neighbours stalking your neighbourhood trying to get a visual of a neighbours barking dog, because you feel this should be RDCO Dog Control's job, because its RDCO who has the authority and that is why they are paid.
Sharon Schnurr, Kelowna