Dogs & Burglaries My Community Experience

“Keep the gate closed.” SidLinx.

Burglar and Dogs

Reading Phil’s blogs about interactions in communities got me thinking about my own interactions in my community.

After experiences with angry dogs and burglaries, I paid more attention to what was happening in and around my neighbourhood.

Burglaries

One day months ago while in my study with my partner, we heard a rustling, pun intended, sound below the window. We both looked out, what we saw shocked us. There below were two young teenage boys fossicking through the center console of our car. It was apparent someone was home; windows ajar, both vehicles under the carport and music playing, not loud but one could hear it. We yelled at them, and they scampered off, laughing. Checking the car, nothing obvious was missing.

It reminded us of when we first moved into this street nine years ago. The shift was not complete, so we left items in a shed on the property. When we returned the next morning, a bicycle and large toolbox were missing. Our own fault, leaving the shed without a padlock on the door.

Dogs

Our street had dogs roaming, most were unleashed and without collars. I often noticed this tan coloured dog, about knee height, sniffing the ground as it trotted by. It didn’t seem to bother anybody and seemed friendly. I would see it mind its own business, so I didn’t pay any attention to it. One morning while I was at the gate, I looked after it as it trotted by. I thought another day as usual, but then the dog looked back and caught my eye. It didn’t register with me at all, I turned back and walked back to the house. Many years ago, the house belonged to a farmer, he installed an iron gate beneath the carport and next to the steps to the backdoor. I was at those steps with the carport gate closed, when two dogs came charging. They both crashed into the iron gate.

What a relief, I had pulled the gate closed behind me, those dogs were after blood. The tan dog bought a companion to help him. That was the last time I saw that dog, I don’t know what happened to him.

The Council Calls a Meeting

Flyers were posted in our letterboxes, announcing a meeting at the local school, to discuss the issue of roaming dogs. A woman in our community was attacked, suffering severe wounds about her legs. I attended the meeting as did many others. After many discussions, the council representative assured us dogs without collars or unleashed would be impounded. Since that meeting a year ago, I am happy to say I don’t see roaming dogs anymore. There maybe one or two but I haven’t seen them. I guess that is what happened to the tan dog and his companion – impounded.

Conclusion

As a precaution I always shut the gates at night, the roadside one and the other beneath the carport. I have a padlock on the shed and always double check our vehicles are locked at all times. We are happy in our home and community having taken precautions against dogs and burglaries.