To the Editor:

The following is a summary of the barking dog situation in my neighborhood. As you know the Town of Tryon has received an estimated 50 complaints or more about barking dogs in my neighborhood.

Although the violators have been approached by the Tryon PD, the problem continues and there is no noticeable change in the level of disturbance, and no citations have been issued after three years of complaints.

For example on Friday November 6, there was continual barking all day long and well into the night. On Sunday, November 8 the barking continued from early morning until after 11 p.m. At approximately 11:10 p.m., I called the Polk County Sheriffs department, and a Tryon officer was dispatched to the area of Hidden Hill Road and Hwy 176.

After approximately two minutes in the area the officer reported 1010 contact and moved on. The dog that was barking resumed barking within a few minutes, so I called again, and the officer went back to the area with the same result. After the second visit to the area the barking that had been going on for hours stopped abruptly. That would lead me to believe that the dog owner has a scanner and took action.

I went to bed at midnight and woke up at 7:30 a.m. this morning. I turned off my sleep sound and the first thing that I heard was a barking dog.

I know that you are working hard to come up with a new ordinance, but in the meantime absolutely nothing is being done to solve the immediate problem. Within the last month new neighbors moved into the house across the street from me and have already asked me whose dogs those are that keep barking. So it is definitely not just me.

All of this makes me wonder that if in the event that the council passes a new nuisance ordnance, is it going to be enforced? Months ago when Austin and I met with you, Austin accused me of getting excited or emotional. I would encourage the Town of Tryon to take some action. Austin told me that government moves slowly, and after three years of no resolution to the problem, I would agree with him.

One of (police chief Arrowoods) statements was, They are just dogs doing what dogs do. My reply was and that is precisely why we have the law.

Dogs do not pay taxes, but I do and those taxes are used to pay our police department to enforce the laws. I would encourage you, The Mayor and the Council to tell them to do what they are being paid to do.

I would certainly appreciate hearing from our officials on this matter.

As I sit here typing this note, (the) dog is in the front yard barking.

Bob Neely