BarkingDogs.net

The Public Health Hangs in the Balance in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Written by Craig Mixon, Ed.D. - Barkingdogs.net webmaster - January 22, 2005

As in most places, the current barking laws in Albuquerque, New Mexico are so worthless as to be all but unenforceable, which may be why there are tales of barking so excessive coming out of that town that some of the citizens there are making plans to move out of the city limits and into the surrounding countryside.

In fact, earlier this month one Albuquerque man, after apparently reaching a point of total melt-down, grew so desperate that he shot-gunned his neighbor's dog as it stood barking at him.

As bad as things have been in Albuquerque, they may be about to get worse. The city is now considering the adoption of a loophole laden multiple house-hold law that would, among other things, require people from at least two separate residences to drive forward legal proceedings against an offending dog owner.

The problem is that the multiple-household laws don't work. They just don't. They don't work anyplace else and they most certainly won't work in Albuquerque either. If you have any doubt about that, go to News of the Usual Legal Run-around and read the two news stories describing what happened when they tried to enforce a similar ordinance in Nahant, Massachusetts.

Some of the readers of Barkingdogs.net are admirers of Albuquerque's Mayor Martin Chavez. They tell us the mayor is aware of the pitfalls of the proposed multiple-household ordinance, and that he looking into an effective, readily enforceable ordinance that will ensure the people of Albuquerque the quiet enjoyment of their homes.

It could be that Mayor Chavez is destined for the Barking Dogs Hall of Heroes. Stay tuned.

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