Letters March 22, 2012

Posted 3/21/12

Dogs and owners: enough is enough

It is baffling how some owners appear to be totally oblivious of the effect that their dog’s prolonged barking has on their neighbors, and how bad-mannered …

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Letters March 22, 2012

Posted

Dogs and owners: enough is enough

It is baffling how some owners appear to be totally oblivious of the effect that their dog’s prolonged barking has on their neighbors, and how bad-mannered and utterly rude they are by allowing it.

As we move toward spring and the time for open windows and gardens, the problem of these chronic offenders becomes even more significant and distasteful. I have owned many dogs, and I know that the animal’s behavior is simply a reflection of the owner’ sensitivity – or lack of – to his or her surroundings.

Dogs bark: it is natural and to be accepted. But when one dog is allowed to bark for an extended time, at all hours of the day, this is unacceptable, and the fault  falls exclusively on its owner’s lack of social sensitivity.

In my neighborhood there are a  few examples of this impoliteness; the medal  for rudeness and for  the worst environmental sound pollution has gone, for several years, to the owner(s) of a dog near my home. The dog can be heard throughout the day, from as early as 6.30 a.m. to as late as 11.30 p.m., all the way to Lincoln Drive and St Martin Station, and probably beyond.

Unfortunately, while dogs can be trained rather easily  –  they are usually smart animals, eager to please, and several  low-budget training devices are available, which can be very effective, particularly if accompanied by the owner’s command – humans may be much more refractory to feedback from neighbors.  Perhaps public pressure may help: Victims of such chronic intrusions  in their “sound  space” may want to unite and identify in this paper the most significant offenders!

It may work…

Vincenzo Sanguineti, M.D.

Chestnut Hill

Baseball kicked off at book series talk

Springtime and baseball got an early start last week when the Chestnut Hill Book Festival and Speaker Series speaker Rich Westcott, Phillies historian, spoke to a crowd in the Bombay Room of the Chestnut Hill Hotel. Rich captivated the audience with his historic insider’s information and with current lore about the team we have loved through all its ups and downs.

Ron and Abby Peet graciously contributed the use of the room, and McNally’s Tavern contributed a basket of baseball-related goods as a door prize. By way of the Chestnut Hill Rotary, a slide projector was available, and Jay Valinis’ Javelin Design has a website in the works for us.

As always things in Chestnut Hill happen because we have such a generous community. As always we thank them.

Check us out and like us please at www.facebook.com/chbookfest. We’ll keep you posted on the website, www.chestnuthillbookfestival.com  there.

Marie Lachat

Kathy Bonanno

Kate O’Neill

Hugh Gilmore

Greg Welsh

Thanks for anti-fracking notice

I am writing to thank you for the photo and events listing you graciously provided for our “Anti-Fracking Celebration and Dance Concert” event at Summit Church in Mt. Airy on March 10.

About 140 people showed up. You and the staff at the Local have given consistent support to environmental and cultural events in neighborhoods served by your paper.

It is inspiring to know that there are open-minded and forward-thinking people in the community who are willing to use their positions in the media to help educate

and help provide a balanced view to us all. Those of us who worked so hard on this event wish to express our gratitude to you for helping make it a success.

Charlie Cooper

Germantown

 

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