While I think all would agree that laying poison is wrong, let's look at some behavours/actions/inactions that perhaps lead people to take such drastic action. I'll just list a few randomly and see if anything sounds familiar.
1. 'my dog doesn't shit on the path, it goes in the grass so that's okay.'
2. 'well my dog's barking never bothers me, you must be oversensitive.'
3. 'don't worry, he only barks.' Called out as dog rushes towards runner, walker cyclist.
4.'hey man clean up your dog shit.' 'Fuck you'
5. Complete and utter lack of enforcement by police leads to people feeling they have no option but to take care of problem themself. (ask the lamma police how many fines have been handed out for fouling of paths.)
6. 'Gee you must be wrong, my dog never barks when I'm at home,'
7. 'you should be glad my dog barks at night it scares off burglars.'
8 'hey man this is the country, i can let my dog do whatever. don't like it move to the city you asshole.'
9. 'yea some people's dogs shouldn't be allowed to roam, but mine are just sooo good,'
10. 'well i usually clean it up, but I forgot a bag today.'
11. 'why should i clean up, no one else does. it's the cleaner's job.'
12. i've lived here since 1903. Back then we all wore an onion on our belt cause that was the style of the time, and never worried about our dogs shitting. I'll be damned if I'm changin' now.
13. 'but like, you know my dog needs to be free man. I am at work 12 hours a day and it would be wrong to lock him up.'
Now then, as for dumping dogs on Lamma, if it's really happening alot then set up a system that tracks dogs coming on/off. ie collect details of person bringing dog onto island. they then check out their dog when they leave. I'm sure dog owners would pony up some cash for a scheme to help prevent animals being dumped. Or put a 1,000 deposit on each dog brought over. something along those lines.
Again let me point out that none of the above justifies poisoning, but until the attitude of a VAST MAJORITY of dog owners changes for real and for the better, there are going to be clashes between owners and non- owners.
mull it over then flame away.
_________________ beware of false prophets who speak the truth
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