DEAR Editor,-
Within the radius of Palm Avenue, Bird Lane, Mdoni Road, Mkhuhlwa Crescent and Old St Faiths in Umtentweni, there are probably more dogs than human residents. Most homes have two and many have double this, but some own as many as six dogs. No property within a reasonably densely populated residential area should be permitted to have more than two dogs – and certainly never six.
The irritating noise of barking goes on all day, but is particularly bad at night.
Neighbours find themselves sleepless and wide-awake listening to the never-ending cacophony and hoping the owners will themselves wake up and investigate the cause of their dogs barking – but they never do! Such dog-owning people seem completely unaware of the noise their dogs make or must sleep with ear-plugs, air-conditioners or music playing in their ears.
The noise is sometimes so bad that some residents no longer sleep with windows open or enjoy sitting in their gardens or on their patios.
With so many dogs around the neighbourhood, residents and vagrants walking in the streets, vervet monkeys roaming gardens, workers on duty and deliveries to houses, the sound of constant barking is always there – it is like living next door to a very large and noisy SPCA.
The time is long overdue for dog-owning residents to take control of their pets, particularly when they are away or during the, and show some consideration and respect for neighbours. And it’s time the municipality reinstates dog licensing to control the number of dogs permitted on properties in residential areas. And at the tail-end – what happens to all the dog poo which can sometimes be smelt wafting around the neighbourhood when enjoying an afternoon stroll?
FED UP
Umtentweni
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