Earplugs Idea Is Unpopular

Dear Ann Landers: I just read your response to the man in Colorado Springs who wrote about his neighbor’s barking dog. You suggested earplugs.

Are you out of your mind, woman? Who ever heard of using earplugs in the comfort of one’s own home, while trying to watch TV? My wife had a friend whose dog barked a lot and annoyed the neighbors. She had a choice - either get the hound’s vocal chords snipped or surrender him to animal control. Maybe this is what your correspondent should consider. - Terry S., Chester, Va.

Dear Terry: Thanks for the response. There were hundreds - and many asked, as you did, if I was out of my mind. Keep reading for more comments:

From Spokane: If I played the radio for as long and as loud as my neighbors’ dogs barked, would they tolerate it? And what if I sat in my car and honked the horn for hours on end?

Your response to Colorado reminded me of the time my husband tried to approach our next-door neighbor to complain about her Airedale that barked nonstop for hours. The woman said,

“I can’t hear you. My dog is barking.” Then she turned around and walked into the house.

I call it dog owner’s mentality. Those people are hopeless.

Charleston, S.C.: Earplugs? Was that the best you could do? You should have suggested the writer confront the offending neighbor, but not to expect much cooperation. These are the same insufferable, unsocialized boors who inflict wrapper-rattling and loud conversation on the rest of us in the theater.

Canada: It is appropriate for a dog to bark when an intruder steps onto its property. But a dog that barks incessantly is telling you he is lonely, distressed and neglected. The dog’s owner should be reported to the authorities. His animal is being mistreated, as well as disturbing the peace.

Redding, Calif.: Did you say earplugs? Are you off your trolley? What if the smoke detector went off? That neighbor should call the humane society. The animal is being abused.

East Greenbush, N.Y.: Veterinarians and dog trainers will tell you that dogs can and should be trained not to bark incessantly. The man who wrote to complain should present a petition to his local government asking for legislation to deal with the problem.

Salem, Ore.: In our city, there are noise laws. This includes barking dogs. I’m sure these laws exist elsewhere. Call the city or county police.

Indianapolis: I had the barking dog problem 12 years ago, and it nearly drove me ‘round the bend. The solution was suggested by my physician. It is a machine that you plug in, and it screens out all intrusive noises. That machine didn’t cost much and saved me from a nervous breakdown.

Windsor, Ontario: Your barking dog letter brought back some unpleasant memories. When we lived in Toronto, we had neighbors who were most unfriendly from the day we moved in. They had a dog that barked day and night. When we asked them to please do something about the barking, they became even more hostile.

Finally, in desperation, we called the police. They discovered that the dog had died weeks before and our neighbors were playing a recording just to annoy us. Their mean little prank cost them a big fine, and finally, we were able to get some sleep. Goodnight, all!