MAILBAG:

I am so glad the city of Costa Mesa is revisiting the process of complaining about barking dogs (“Barking could lead to fines,” Aug. 20).

Nothing is more infuriating than the next door neighbor’s dog barking relentlessly all day long when the owner is absent.

The current complaint method requires joining forces with another neighbor to record the time, duration and exact impact on your well-being. There has to be two complainants, and that is ridiculous!

Not only am I being harassed and stressed by a neighbor’s pet while trying to conduct business out of my home office, but I also have to solicit another neighbor to join me in a time-consuming campaign against a thoughtless person who obviously doesn’t care about the impact of his lifestyle decision on fellow homeowners.

The only way I got another neighbor to take action against his barking dog was to call his house and record the lengthy barking on his answering machine. I guess he finally got tired of barking sounds on his voicemail.

Unfortunately for me I am the only stay-at-home resident in my immediate area, but that does not mean I should have to suffer from this unneeded noise pollution because I don’t have a partner to report the crime.

There are several animal-friendly and PETA approved collars for dogs that will keep them from barking. Much cheaper than a several hundred dollar fine.

JAMES LITTLE

Costa Mesa

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Don’t own a pet if can’t afford fines

Of my five neighbors, there are currently five dogs. If I thought it would do any good to report the barking, I would not hesitate to do so.

I give my total support to the new ordinance. If the dog owners can’t afford the fines, they probably can’t afford the dogs! Is Sandra Genis as old as the words she uses?

WILLIAM HOFFMAN

Costa Mesa

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Will move to Costa Mesa for barking law

There is no reason to have to tolerate a barking or yapping dog.

If the owners love the dog so much, why do they leave it alone all day and get annoyed when the neighbor has the nerve to ask them to please quiet their dog?

If Costa Mesa enforces its barking law, I may have to move there.

RHODA FRIEDMAN

Newport Beach

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Fines not the solution; dogs need attention

When a dog barks to the point of major annoyance there is something wrong — and fining the owner probably won’t fix the problem.

Dogs are a pack animal, they do best when they have at least one companion. They need stimulation — being cooped up in a small space with nothing to look at all day can be maddening. Dogs need exercise — and most medium to large dogs need more than a 10 minute stroll.

If the owner cannot supply the animal with the time and attention it requires, there’s bound to be some acting out in some form or another. If an owner cannot solve the problem after an investigation by an animal control officer, and the complaints continue, the owner should be required to attend a class to educate them on the basics of dog ownership and basic needs of dogs (with a mandatory charge for the class).

If this doesn’t change either the dog’s behavior or the owner’s behavior, the owner should be urged to find another home for the pet.

BETTS HARLEY