Why has Innisfail turned into a control state? Have we all lost our tolerance for everything and anyone?
Neighbours are pitted against each other over animals, parking etc. People have lost touch with the art of communication. We are afraid to talk to a neighbour about issues that they are concerned about. Instead of communicating directly they hide behind a phone and call bylaw services on their neighbour.
In the last month alone we have had bylaw officers at our door four times with either a fine or a warning with the threat of more due to a dog that is protecting the property and barking at unknown individuals or a cat that got out of the house. We have been basically threatened with the fines if there is even a single bark.
Get it together people. Dogs bark. Cats get out. It’s life.
We have been forced at this point to give away two pets, a dog and a cat, just to satisfy our neighbours. These animals aren’t just pets they are family. Would you want someone to do the same to you? And telling you do it now or else!.
On Aug.16, shortly before 9 a.m. we let our family dog out of the house to go to relieve herself and make her morning rounds in the yard. Her habit was to let out a string of barks just to let you know she was on patrol. That’s when we heard someone yell out, 'Call it in.'
Within 30 minutes we had bylaw officers at our door issuing a warning.
What’s next people? Call it in when our five children, who range in age from one to 17, play loudly?
We have spoken to close neighbours. Many have said our dog would only bark if she was taunted. Other than that they were happy having her on patrol at our home. The crime rate in our neighbourhood seemed high before we got her, but seemed to drop afterwards. Should it be a crime to protect your property? Like most people we say no.
Start being a neighbour. Talk to each other. It will go a long way.
Innisfail used to be a tight knit community but not anymore. This attitude that has developed needs to stop. We don’t do it to you. We all need to be adults and not be afraid to talk, which can lead to a resolution to any issue. We are very understanding people and easy to approach.
Kim Anderson has been a life-long Innisfailian while her husband Stephen Chambers has been in town since 2005.
