Let's All Get Together, Unite Our Thoughts and Efforts, and Fight this dog Insanity
The article below is my reply to the post made by Matthew Ridgeway (in the first italics block), who also suffers from this dog lunacy that we’re being subjected to.
Matthew’s comment:
I have decided, that after years of dealing with this issue, I am still bombarded with barking around my home. Moved house, lost $70K and dragged to court for a criminal offense of begging for the barking to be stopped. I have been an activist and had several dog barking sites of varying angles and amounts of information.Matthew, I really understand your frustration.
I have come to the conclusion that helping people understand the issue they are enduring does not help all of us. The situation continues to no end because we help and inform.
We need to lay of and tell victims nothing. Let them suffer as we have, until they go absolutely nuts.
I agree, this site is great and has a lot of valuable information and appropriate praise too. So does Craig Mixon and his site. Peter Bright and his great efforts there in Tasmania. I commend you all on a great effort. But getting support and getting real change still eludes us all. Why? Because we tell the truth and people give up. Victims let other victims down. Victims can not get together and agree on what we need to do. But most of all, we get no grouping of any significance.
I have built a new site declaring I don’t give as much care as I used to. Simply because we can not group up. I suggest you withdraw you info site until people get the hint, you want a fix,then get involved or suffer.
And that’s the truth. If you want to see my new site, put some effort in and find it yourself, just like all of us have done now and in the past.
Thanks for the site, it’s great, but we fail to inspire real change.
I wish you all luck, but we need to do better. Where do we go wrong.
Matthew Ridgeway
However, I am not backing down.
A lot of people out there, aware of this web site or not, won’t give up either.
By reading your new site, I hope what you’re *Really* saying between the lines in your comment below is:
Take action! Do something real
Just like you, I too suffered and continue to suffer – today in a lesser degree due to my own efforts – with dog related issues for quite a long time. I also had to move (house, neighborhood, city, even country) for a number of times. Lost sleep for countless nights. Lost an unbelievable amount of hours, days of productive work. Family relationships soured. Had my health, both physical and mental, damaged.
Some of these problems still persist to this day, no matter where you go or what you do *alone*, *just by yourself*.
Emphasis on the words *alone*, *just by yourself*.
The Worst Outcome Imaginable
Absolute certainty is what I get when ODORs (Obnoxious Dog Owners), Responsible pet owners, Dog Lobbyists, dog politicians, dog business people, animal
“That is exactly what we ever wanted! Bring it on!!!” they will say.
Perhaps you already heard or read about criminals taking people’s houses and sending the residents away so that those thugs could perform even more criminal acts as they wish, without not paying a cent for it. Not to mention the whole neighborhood that was taken times before, piece by piece.
That happened simply because nobody did nothing, always expecting “someone to do something, sometime, somehow.”
Sorry to say but they deserved what they got.
The exactly same scenario may happen to us if we allow dog criminals of all sorts to take our neighborhoods from us with their their canine weapons. They are Already trying to.
Should we expect that others do the work for us?
It’s understandable that some times we get really frustrated with this situation, where it seems the whole world is against us, but it is not, just the perpetrators are.
Some people just give up. They simply think/expect/hope/pray that better days will come, but instead do nothing effective. Nothing pro-active.
There are also the “I don’t want to get involved” people, who will not raise a finger to help, EVEN when they are amongst the most affected ones. They fear retaliation, or just being called the “creepy people of the area,” for example. I know this kind of neighbors personally, by the dozen.
Many of them, however, are part of what is called “The Herd Effect,” meaning that, as soon as someone starts running, they will run, too. When some people start taking noticeable, meaningful actions they will join, too.
There is an excellent article on this very same ‘Free loader issue‘ by Animal Uncontrol:
“Many of my neighbors got a complete “free ride”, courtesy of me, when I engaged the rescuer/puppy miller across the street, their landlord, and authorities. Many of the other neighbors flat out hated what was going on over there, as they were exposed to the same hardships as I. They would complain bitterly about the barking, dog at large, dog pee and dog crap everywhere, etc… However, NONE of them would lift a finger to go after the miscreants. They wouldn’t call authorities; they wouldn’t complain to the miscreant, they wouldn’t complain to the landlord. They refused to even co-sign any of my complaints! However, they sure did benefit BIG TIME from my efforts! They didn’t thank me, and there was no need to given that if my efforts benefited only THEM I wouldn’t have bothered!”That says a lot.
What Did We Get So Wrong?
We were too permissive, too kind, too generous.
We were all a bunch of cowards who said and done nothing when you should, actually HAD to.
We expected the problems just to go away. We never thought they could escalate, much less to the point they are today, the point of insanity.
Gullible people saw the opportunities to make tons of money on less informed individuals who would then fall for any lies told. “Dogs are heroes, never bite anyone, men’s best friend…” we all know the propaganda.
Those greedy capitalists then got together (their most clever tactic) and hired lobbyists who then legally bribed and continue to legally bribe politicians as Craig Mixon perfectly explains at How special interest groups used bribery to steal your right to live in a quiet home.
Today they have billions of dollars to spend on the most egregious, disgusting propaganda, like several articles on the Huffington Post as “Your Kids And Pit Bulls Love Each Other“, for example. I’m not providing any linking to them, no apologies. Many other news lets do the same, they get the money, they say whatever people want. Remember the breeders, bloggers, ‘scientists,’ ‘experts’… which you see all over the place. Ah, just today I saw two advertising featuring dogs, one an insurance company, the other an ice cream multinational.
When We Say “We’re Not Animal Haters”
I see this over and over, even I wrote that on my own site before.
However, it seems we’re “apologizing” for that. Worse, apologizing TO them, dog people!
Nobody, and I mean nobody, Has to love animals. Not everybody have to like palm trees or broccoli or whatever. Each one of us may choose and decide what we like or not, with no apologies for that.
I appreciate birds. In the trees.
I appreciate fish. In the river.
I appreciate cows. In the farm.
I appreciate snakes. In the desert.
I appreciate spiders. In their web in the shack.
Anyway, I didn’t HAVE to, regardless what someone thinks or not, and I do NOT apologize for that.
I don’t like dogs, and I do NOT apologize for that.
I am Not a dog hater, but I could be if I wanted, and I did NOT have to apologize for that. Dog Hater, in my definition, is like the person who kicks even a dog that is being fully, adequately controlled by a responsible pet owner on the sidewalk.
But that is how dog lovers call us so, whatever, than I'm a dog-hater. It doesn't affect me. At all.
All that to say that, when we are fighting for a world with NO dogs, we do NOT have to apologize for that.
We want a peaceful world, without dogs. And that’s it.
No apologies. Period.
Doing Something Effective - Pro-Active
So, What can we do?
Well, after being so condescending with the abuses, now we have to claim our rights back. And take note that talking, explaining, begging… will Not work. We all know that. It hasn’t Already!
Just blogging on the internet – only – will not help much. Sure, it keeps the cause in some spotlight, but our individual brightness is yet too weak. Posting daily occurrences of dog bites, mauling, killings, law suits… the same, also helps, but we need to go well beyond that.
We have to be much more assertive with our claims and demands, not simple requests, now to the point of almost confrontational, rebellious. Surely obeying the law, as long as it does not prevent our inalienable rights.
Do I have all the answers? No, I don’t.
What Not to Do
I nonetheless have some real top-notch advice on what Not-to-do against dogs and dog lovers:
- Stop Cursing.
- Stop Complaining.
- Stop Talking, Talking, Talking...
- Stop Repeating the very same things over and over again.
- Stop Finding excuses for not doing something real and useful.
We all know dogs are dumb, disgusting, diseased, dangerous...
We all know dog lovers are dumb, disgusting, diseased, dangerous...
Ranting and venting is ok, it is nice relieving our frustrations, but then comes a time when we need to start DOING something, effective things, taking pro-active actions.
Being nice guys is not the answer. Actually, that was our demise.
Final advice to all of us from Animal Uncontrol:
- GET OFF YOUR DEAD ASS!
- EXPEND SOME EFFORT!
- LEARN THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM/EDUCATE YOURSELF!
- BURN SOME SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CAPITAL!
- TAKE SOME RISK!
- MAKE THINGS HAPPEN!
“Cowardice asks the question, “Is it safe?”
Expediency asks the question, “Is it politics?”
And Vanity asks the question, “Is it popular?”
But Conscience asks the question “Is it right?”
And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.”
MARTIN LUTHER KING
The Very First, Most Important Action of All!
Each One Has to Stand Up for Themselves!
That is by far the most crucial step, second none, that we must take to have our words heard.
Only this way people outside there - from dog lovers to authorities to the media - will see that we are not taking it anymore, the rage is intense and growing.
Exactly as detailed above.
The Second Most Important Action of All!
We Have to Get Together!
We must have a single or a couple of websites (I’m not saying it has to be mine) so to concentrate all the important issues. Only this way people out there – like authorities, politicians, police, TV, newspapers, advertisers – would realize we are Not a fringe group of nutters, but instead very well educated, informed and dedicated law abiding citizens demanding to be heard and having them executed.
Like you said in your new site:
“Do nothing, and enjoy your won suffering.”
It only depends on you.
So, what are you gonna do now?!
I had a thought about the dog-free community: As per the above, the doggers get what they want by infesting city councils, police departments, AC agencies, code enforcement bureaus, etc… with hacks for the dog lobby and AR extremists. They often don’t have an overt pro-dog agenda… they aren’t going to run on a “for dogs, of dogs and by dogs” agenda. No, what they do is, quietly infiltrate and THEN sneakily push their agenda.
The above is how an “anti” barking law really becomes a special protection for nuisance barking. This is why a “dangerous dog law” makes it impossible to go after a dangerous dog and/or the owner.
So, anti-doggers need to do the same thing. Why be honest and upfront about your intentions? You need to indulge in some corruption of your own!
Here is what I would do: Get a bunch of like minded people together who are willing to relocate. Pick a small town, with a population low enough that you would have sufficient numbers to skew the elections (note turnout in local elections is usually pretty low).
After you have established your presence, work on getting members of your own group elected to mayors office, town council, sheriff, dog warden, etc… Those people, in turn, hire those who are members of your special interest group or are at least very sympathetic.
Now, you don’t BAN dogs… that would give the doggers something to rail against. Your city would draw hatred and negative attention from doggers all over the world. It is important that you don’t make your policy imperatives known to too many people. Sure, there will be rumors but those won’t go anywhere once you get the reins.
What you do is, once you have power, you make it so very difficult for the doggers in your jurisdiction, they either move away or become exemplary dog owners. I am talking about cops that not only write barking tickets willingly, they ENJOY doing it. I am talking about a local magistrate that throws the book at malicious dog owners EVERY TIME. An AC director that follows protocol to the letter. Imagine if dog poisonings and shootings NEVER get investigated? Again, remember… these are YOUR people.
You have to beat the doggers at their own game.
Matthew, for example, could follow your plan by the letter.
I have to clarify one point: what you are suggesting is NOT corruption.
One would Not be bribing politicians or police or anyone else. One would just be grouping like-minded people with a lawful and ethical objective: to have clear laws about dogs that work And are enforced, to benefit *People*. No money was paid, no gifts were given, no favors were done, no hidden deals were arranged.
That is Not corruption, just a wiser use of our time and collective resources.
Exactly what I expect with this article.
I would question anyone coming here telling you to shut down your site because it doesn’t do enough good (???). Then innocently goading you into making threats that could be used to shut you down. I hope I am wrong, but this is how I read it, it reeks of a troll trap, IMO. Not all doggers are stupid people that send misspelled death threats. The clever ones, like Lexus Project” are much more damaging.
Anyway…
There are 2 sides to problems like the ones we face, action and inaction. Both contribute to making the situation as miserable as possible.
An example of inaction would be neighbors as irritated as you are, but who refuse to do a thing about it, other than complain amongst themselves. I am really tired of them. The lack of community support, and willingness to stand with your neighbors to fix things, is a serious issue- dogs are just a symptom of a larger problem.
It is this type of inaction that really helps doggers (and other bullies, and lawless jerk offs) remain in control. The silent majority is just that- silent, and this is useless.
The other half is Action.
Doggers run the show because of their rabid zeal, which is not counteracted by those in the silent majority. Mutts and maulers are the main, sometimes only, focus of doggers/nutters lives, so they dedicate tons of time and money to get what they want. They are “one topic voters” and are fanatic about the topic.
When it comes to solving problems, we are at a disadvantage numerically, and by being (mostly) normal people that actually have lives. We don’t have unlimited time, or money, to devote. We just want some sane rules, strictly enforced, Most of these people cannot believe that ODORs can get away with the things that they do, its a kick in the teeth for any respectful, law abiding neighbor.
It really only takes a small group to make change, but having the silent majority on your side never hurts.
How do we best do this? I say make a goal and start recruiting, both locally and beyond. I would love to see a group that is like the Lexus Project, or Animal Farm Foundation, but not insane. Think of it- every time theres an attack, victims get support and legal help. We would defend on situations and improve them.
Bad attitudes- Doggers also feel entitled to have dogs of any breed, temperament, and history. Then, they let them do as they please, with little to no penalty.
Why is this? One reason is because they are used to getting what they want without opposition. Many people that are annoyed are also dog lovers, and cannot seem to separate the two. No matter, all it takes is ONE dedicated person.
“If you DO lose, do not hand the winner their “win “easily. Make them pay for every bloody inch! Make it hurt SO badly they will not try it again! ”
“Whatever your situation is, even if it is hopeless, DO NOT give the miscreant an easy win. Make it as painful as possible for them in this day by day Armageddon. Only when faced with the threat of painful consequences will they change their actions. And, make no mistake: This is a HUMAN problem.”
WE MUST DO THIS. WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO BE TERRORIZED< TORMENTED< HARASSED WITHOUT A FIGHT!
Like Animal Uncontrol, I fought the neighbor with the robobarker, whom he abused, starved, tormented (nd no one would stop him!), along with beating his wife and kids. No neighbor would help, even though this abuser was the bane of the block. The legal system wasn't effective, though they at least tried. The last thing I had left to try, was to force them to sell and get out, via the HOA rules.
I finally moved, leaving the useless neighbors to deal with him, after accepting an excellent promotion out of state I was soured on dogs and their owners after this. I don't feel like it was a total loss though, because I made their lives as miserable as I made mine.
Someone ought to refer the Matthew to the post a few days ago about loose maulers.
I also got a weird feeling when I saw that suggestion to shut down the site but, by seeing the previous work and history of Matthew Ridgeway, I don’t think he is one of the dog nutters and lobby people (whom I call doggists, lower case, the mix of dog and apologists for such). I suppose and expect it was just a moment of despair where, “if nobody out there want do something, then let them suffer, I will take care of myself, only myself.” I have a similar example: I tried to create a neighborhood watch *just on my street block* and most residents were not even remotely interested (Detail: We just had a bank robbery days before and most of the robbers escape to our area, which contains large areas of forested spaces. Lots of police, cars, helicopter. My town is still reasonably safe but getting worse by the day. That is quite demotivational.). Anyway, we have to be cautious, always, we simply never know.
So it makes three of us who already fought the robobarkers. I also sued a front-door neighbor in an apartment building, they renter, me homeowner. Called police numerous times, several formal complaints to building administration… and nothing. Collected all kinds of evidence and could avoid the help of unwilling witnesses. Then I took them to small claims criminal court when, after months with the mutt still terrorizing me and my family (together with all residents above and below, at least) with its horrendous barking, sometimes for 12 twelve hours straight(!), I finally won the suit. The decision was ridiculous (she, the owner listed on the suit, did Not get a criminal record, with the absurd help of the judge, who was also a dog owner(!) and had to pay U$50(!) on which I personally complained directly to the judge that it was too little and also a clear incentive for the doggist woman to continue with her crimes.) Anyway, what mattered to me is that she was demanded to take the dog away from the building in 48 hours, what she did. I had peace again. And the free loader neighbors, undeservedly. The building administration boldly showed the decision to other residents like if They had done anything. I left that building just as a couple of months later as I moved to another country, but the neighbors keep benefiting from my efforts to this day. Ah, I was told that her husband died in a high-crime city, where they had moved to, just months later. Is that fate doing its part?
I DID something (the suit, I mean!) and I felt nice, really nice about that!
Hope more people could do that as well.
WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO BE TERRORIZED < TORMENTED < HARASSED WITHOUT A FIGHT!
Absolutely right!
Again, as we’ve both noted, victims who stand up for themselves are few and far between. Why should everyone (or anyone) else help those who won’t even help themselves?
And, therein lies the problem: Too few people are willing to take ANY risk.
Why not?
Because it’s not really a dog problem facing us. It’s an owner problem.
But it goes deeper still.
It’s the attitude of pure selfishness that owners have allowed to take over their minds which is closer to the real cause of the problem.
How does one eliminate owner selfishness and stupidity? It’s an intangible; one cannot go to the supermarket and order a kilogram of unselfishness or a hundred grams of pure wisdom.
Because of this insoluble dilemma, killing every dog on the planet won’t secure peace for us for long.
Why not?
It’s because owners are so addicted to dog, and so mindlessly and selfishly depraved, that they will simply go out and come home with a replacement animal.
Animals are their drug of choice, and they are totally addicted to them. Does it all boil down to animals being their ego prop?
Dog ownership is the most popular form of insanity in the world today.