Harry is a tiny fox terrier. He trots up and down the footpath outside of Hammer Hardware on Riverton's main street, popping in and out of the shop to see his master Ian, who sells hardware and plants inside. Harry's done this every day for years now. He's never bothered anyone, no one has ever bothered him. Today a man from the council rang Ian and advised him that a complaint had been received about Harry - something to do with pooing on the grass strip behind the shop, and that Harry, if seen again roaming free, would be impounded.
Both Harry, now detained in the Hammer Hardware office, and Ian, are unhappy. The other business owners along the street are similarly irked by this turn of events.
What do you think can be done about this?
Harry won't be happy left at home on a chain, nor is he settling to life in an office. He's a freedom-loving kind of dog and polite with it.
Should Ian do as he is bid by the council?
Can the complainant be identified? There must be ways to find out information from the council about those who dob in dogs.
Should Ian free Harry and rely on the neighbours to warn of approaching dog-catchers?
What do you suggest?
9 comments:
The sunshine has gone from Palmerston Street, Riverton. A little fox terrier known as Harry, wagging tail and wonderful personality has been locked up in a cage in the Hammer Hardware garden department. Why? Because someone has complained.
He made the day of many a Rivertonian – him lying about soaking up the sun, blissfully trusting everyone around him. Harry put a smile on the face of many who, in these hard times might have been struggling to find something to smile about.
On, but there are rules I can hear you saying! Yes I know, there are – but it’s time to make an exception. I’m talking about generosity of Spirit. Harry is an icon of Riverton. Maybe we need a council by law – something! Harry is sad now. We need to change that. Have you ever seen a sad dog? Breaks your heart. That’s what it does.
Woof Woof!!
I suggest that the Council need to 'change their beauocratic tactics' and look into the matter from the 'Communities viewpoint'. If little Harry's presence is appreciated by the majority of the community, then Council need to butt out and allow him his freedom. We're in changing times Council and you need to accept change also, then we can all go through this process in harmony together!
Willow and Poppy - I can feel this issue building fast!
Harry's owners have sent off a beautifully written letter to the council which, if I'm able, I'll post here. I'm sure that there is provision in any council to take the 'benefit to the community' into account when looking at special cases like Harry's.
I hope they don't go all draconian on Harry.
It won't do them any good at all!
You see!!
stoopid rules wrecking our lives and individuality!!
It's not so much the rules Shunda, it's the blanket application of them and the inflexibility that the rule-appliers exhibit. Our job, as ordinary folk, is to help the clipboard carriers see that there are times when these rules are appropriate and times when they aren't. If communities can manage the issues themselves, let them do so. Harry might be breaking the rules but if everyone involved agrees to let him, then the pen-clickers can relax and let us manage the issue. Same goes for driftwood artworks.
If Harry was a Rottweiler or Doberman you lot wouldn’t be so supportive. We have a neighbours dog that comes to our place constantly and tries it on with our Springer Spaniel. The dog may be cute, it may be fun and I'm sure someone loved it, but boy it was good when the council came and took the damn thing away.
I think you lot need a hobby to distract you from the petty things – why not go and offer to walk Harry.......
It's true SR, if Harry weren't Harry we'd not be running a Free Harry campaign.
He's been toddling around out in front of the shop every day for 6 years now. People love him. Those who are calling for his return aren't lacking for things to do, they just feel for the wee guy. It shouldn't take much for the Council to come and see what the real situation is, rather than dictate from afar.
It's not a petty issue to Harry.
looks like a good job for the latest council rep. How long do you have to serve before you become part of the 'old boys club'.....
Nah - this is one for the people
:-)
There's an 'Old Boy's Club'?
Where do I sign up?
Sounds like a riot!
What do we do in there? Fence with walking canes, mumble into our G&T's? Blame yoof?
Hurrah!
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