Stress-relieving pets stressed by bylaws enforcers

Editor: Re: “Dogs are great stress relievers,” The Daily Courier, Sept. 21

UBC Okanagan research confirms what most dog owners already know about the value of our canine family members.

Too bad our city administrative officials are not supportive of the need to make our community more pet friendly.

Please note this is the biased comment of the proud owner of two beloved stress relievers shamed by an infraction record with bylaw enforcement.

The principal infraction; failing to pick up the poop of a runaway licensed puppy. Poop which was scared out of her by an enforcement officer responding to our call for help when we reported our run-away puppy.

Poop located in an area known only to enforcement. Poop which was photographed and left.

My spouse paid the fine in trepidation that any contest would result in a delayed release of our beloved pet. Response to our call for help became a permanent record.

Fellow dog owner take heed: anonymous tips and suspicions are sufficient grounds for enforcement of any Kelowna pet bylaws. And there is no presumption of innocence.

Recently, following a morning exercise trip with our two pets, I arrived home to find a frantic spouse accosted by a tall bylaw enforcement officer in police trappings, including bullet proof vest.

The following is a summary of conversations:

EO: “Would you mind telling me where you were this morning?” IRS: “Just out and about. Why?” EO: “We have a report of two dogs running loose and scaring some young children. What time did you leave home this morning? Allow me to write some notes here for my report.”

IRS: “I left home about 9;30 a.m., and my dogs were with me all morning.”

EO: “Your wife gave us a time that differs a bit from that, do you have video cameras on the premises that might confirm that?”

IRS: “Am I under arrest? Is there no presumption of innocence?”

EO: “Well, we do have a complaint, and you do have a record with enforcement…”

IRS: “Wait a minute. Are you not the same ticketing officer who scared the poop out of our lost dog after we called you for help?”

EO: “Perhaps, I do recall the incident, but I would ask that you be more co-operative and provide video tape or better evidence of your whereabouts this morning…”

The threat to issue a ticket was withdrawn after a further call with the anonymous complainant confirmed that it was not our dogs.

A further warning to Kelowna dog owners: make sure your dogs have done their business before you make any report to Enforcement as to a missing pet. Ian Royce Sisett,

Kelowna