Police called for dogs being dogs
January 14, 2014
By Mike Weland

Bonners Ferry Police were summoned to a Northside home shortly before midnight yesterday in response to a complaint ... of dogs ... barking. Assistant police chief Foster Mayo responded, chastised the animals and reported that they didn't seem to be listening well to his orders.

"Sheriff, 6-2," he called in. "I'm on scene and there are dogs barking ..."

Well kept and apparently in compliance with all rules and regulations. They hadn't been barking, that he noticed, he said, until he walked up to see what they were barking at.

They were barking, he determined quickly, at him.

"Dispatch, the owner of these dogs does not appear to be home, and these dogs are appear to be exhibiting a normal canine response," Mayo reported. "I see two choices; I can put these dogs down or close this investigation with a recommendation that the owner be contacted and advised."

He didn't ask the canine culprits their opinion, but did notice as he backed away that their clamor lessened considerably.

"Would the RP (reporting part) like contact?" he asked. "That's negative, 6-2, he just wants the dogs to be quiet."

I am glad for the angry caller's willingness to say "enough is enough!" and file formal complaint.

I won't feel so bad now when I call in to report that my dog, Tinker, is snoring again. I yell at her, holler, roll her over and point my finger in her face, butt she looks at me with her pug brown eyes, licks my finger and smiles.

And within moments ... moments! ... she is emulating a chainsaw again.

I will very much be grateful that our local peace officers will take my complaint seriously consider all available options and invariably choose just the right one.

It's comforting to know that if I ever reach the breaking point with my wife's Boston terrier/wiener dog mix Sage, a puppy who barks like crazy if a butterfly burps, I have a viable option other than threatening to be her judge and jury.

I can call police.

I worry, though, as Sage jumps in my lap and smothers me with doggie kisses (she's sneaky that way), if an officer might not arrive, view the evidence, and consider putting me down instead.