Regulations and restrictions in dog ownership

There has been a lot of media attention in the Tasmanian Mercury lately on barking dogs. A lonely old woman managed to get a full page spread supposedly after years of trying to get the council to get rid of a neighbours dog. This dog would apparently bark all day and all night, and she claims that she is getting side affects, she is sick, stressed, depressed... But the council wont do anything. hmmm...

(It sounds like she needs a dog. Owners are proven to be less likely to be depressed, sick and overweight.)

But no seriously... this desperate plea of attention to the media (strange that no other neighbours have complained) has encouraged many dog haters to write in in support. Talks of extra restrictions on dog ownership, fines etc.

LETS LOOK AT THE RESTRICTIONS ON DOGS VS CATS

-Dog owners pay registration fees every year, otherwise they are fined
-They pay throught the teeth if their dog is outside their property
-and are heavily fined if found walking their dog without a leash, with the exception of a few designated public spaces.
-Even on the leash, they are banned from sitting with their owners outside at cafes (while the smokers at the table next to you give you passive lung cancer), because apparently they carry germs (yeah? and on what evidence? do you know anyone who has caught a germ from their dog? Why do dogs in europe enjoy the freedom of cafe culture, even inside the cafes, and they swan around on public transport like a true man's best friend. Aren't the people of France scared of these 'germs'? And how come guide dogs dont have these concerning germs?)
-Dog owners get fined if their dogs go to open air Salamanca markets in Hobart, even if they are on a leash -apparently for the same reason 'they carry germs...' (yeah, and the dodgy fried food vans dont?)
-Dog owners are forced to have their own private transport, as they are banned from public transport (although in Melbourne, you are allowed to take them outside peak hour. Best public transport system in Australia, very efficient .. off the point..) Too bad if you want to take them to puppy training(!)

So where are the restrictions on cat ownership?
-Cat owners dont have to register the cat
-They dont pay fines if the cat is outside their property (even when they are in other people's property, such as mine, killing all the birds which dont stand a chance because the cat is not wearing a coller with a bell on it)
-They dont pay fines if the cat is out at night (also killing native wildlife), or on the verandah of my house (just outside my bedroom window)making babies very loudly,and waking me up.


I think dog owners and admirers get a raw deal. Its good for people's health to get out and walk their dog. Its good for your mental health and stress levels, to have your loyal companion to talk to and play with. Why doesnt the government and councils encourage dog ownership? God knows, we have so many obese people in Hobart now, who could do with a bit of walking, and every second person seems to be on anti-depressants when a dog can easily do the same trick.

Back to that woman... answer to your problems? Get a dog (and start rallying to the council for dog rights, not restrictions)