Police need evidence to intervene

The following column was originally published in 2015, before the pandemic.

Dear Annie: Two nights ago, I witnessed my best friend being verbally abused by her boyfriend. The boyfriend was drunk and probably doing something illegal.

I listened to him yell at her on the phone all night. It was 3 a.m., and he was demanding that I pick him up on my way to take her home. I told him no, because I didn't want him acting violently in my car. I told my friend she can call me if she needs anything, and dropped her off at their house. Although I'm sure her boyfriend will eventually get himself arrested for violating his probation, I feel it is up to me to report him. But if I do, I will lose her friendship. Should I turn him in for the sake of my friend's safety or mind my own business? Unsure in Ohio

Dear Unsure: We aren't certain what this man was doing that violated his probation. Yelling at his girlfriend isn't enough to warrant a report, unless there is a restraining order preventing him from phoning her. Does his probation state that he cannot drink? If so, you should report him and let the chips fall. But a suspicion that he might have been doing something illegal is not sufficient, and the police likely would not pick him up for that unless you could provide proof. And without any evidence, he could accuse you of harassment.

Dear Annie: I'd like to offer some additional advice to “Can't Stop Crying,” who wants to keep her family's dog confined because “Lassie” scratches the floors, wears down the furniture and leaves dog hair all over. Her husband thinks she's being cruel and refuses to compromise. Now he sleeps with the dog, and she's in tears. Your suggestion to get a trainer to intercede was good, but it won't help with the dog hair.

My saviour was an indoor invisible fence. It is a small unit that plugs into an outlet creating a barrier.

Our dogs have freedom throughout the downstairs, except for the formal living and dining room. And the invisible fence prevents the dogs from going upstairs to our bedrooms. The durability of washable dog blankets protects the furniture and can be removed when we have company. Our dogs are spoiled and happy, and so am I. M.

Dear M.: We hope the husband is willing to compromise, but he seems quite content to romance the dog and leave his wife by herself in the bedroom.