Ok. I have never complained publicly before but I just had to get this off my chest.
While leaving my neighborhood, I noticed a very large dog with no collar. It was without a doubt a pit bull or a mixed breed with heavy pit bull influence. Normally when most see a stray dog we just go about our business but in this case I would rather be safe than sorry especially with the frequency of dog attacks that have involved children. The dog was walking through the street and yards where there are small children usually at play during the day. I was also concerned for the dog. I have friends that have pit bulls that wouldn't hurt a flea but there are people that would shoot the dog because of paranoia or just because they want to shoot something and have a justification. I would hate to see a family pet unjustly terminated. I took the time to call Paulding County Animal Control a few times. I understand they are possibly very busy and was sent to VM. Before you leave a VM it states that if you have a non emergency that you feel needs to be reported and you can't get in touch with Animal Control it gives a secondary number to call for assistance. Again, just to be safe than sorry I called the number. That number gave me a few options mostly to admin staff and one for PCSO, Hiram Pd and Dallas PD. This apparently was the non emergency 911 line. I started explaining the situation and before I even finished she proceeded to tell me, in quite a rude tone I may add, that they don't handle that kind of stuff and to leave a message with Animal Control and they will call me back if they feel its an issue. I calmly told her that I understand that and once again explained that if it wasn't for the recent media coverage on this type dog mauling children I wouldn't have bothered calling at all but because the dog was around where small children play I would think they would at least want to take my name, maybe the location of where the dog was sighted just in case. She then proceeds to tell me that unless the dog is showing aggressive behavior they won't do anything and if it does to call them back. That is where the situation really opened my eyes. I told her so what she is basically saying is that if or when the dog could have possibly come up to a child or anyone for that matter and showed aggressive behavior or possibly worse attacked them then to call? I just cant see that being the view point of all public safety, that they would prefer to be reactive than be a little proactive. I couldn't keep my mouth shut so I just had to throw out there that if a guy was legally or not legally open carrying a weapon around where children were known to be playing that they would send multiple officers no doubt and that I think there has been more media press on dogs attacking children than law abiding gun carriers harming people but whatever. I asked for her name because I wanted to file a complaint or talk to a supervisor. Of course she refused to give me her name and just her operator number 15. I asked to be transferred to a supervisor and was put on hold of course and I realized I was just frustrating myself and this was going no where so I hung up. It wasn't like I was asking them to drop everything and send an officer right away or at all in that matter but at least show a little concern to take some basic information and make me feel like you care even if you don't instead of telling me to call the number I have all ready called with no answer and leave a VM. Not to mention the number she wanted me to call tells you to call them if you can't reach Animal Control. Geeeez.
Here is my issue. If the number that was given by the animal control to contact in the event of a non emergency situation one may feel needs to be reported and you cant get in touch with the animal control at that time, why give a number to where they are going to tell you they don't handle that or basically even care. The real sad part is that I personally know many officers in the area that in the best interest of children would have had no issues of just doing a courtesy drive by and I can't think for one minute that Sheriff Gary Gulldege would have the attitude and say "just call us back in the event some one is attacked or a child is mauled before we even consider looking into it". I thought public safety encouraged civilians to report a possible incident BEFORE something bad could happen? You always here them saying that the public needs to get more involved and report suspicious behavior and look after one another in a community. Well, If doing this is anything like the experience I got today no wonder fewer people are reporting things and trying to take matters into their own hands. What choices do you have. I know I'm being extreme but I think most will get the point.
I guess I'll quit ranting now but I hope I don't get home and some child was attacked or someone's harmless pet was gunned down due to paranoia or because they called the authorities and got the same response.
Before anyone starts jumping on this I know there are bigger problems in the world and they get hit with senseless calls everyday. I get this. No worries. They cant be every where and have to prioritize. I also know that the civilian public is responsible for their own safety as well and should take the proper precautions. The point I'm trying to make is if one of my neighbors had an ar15 strapped on his back, harmlessly walking up the street to show his buddy a new purchase and someone saw this and reported it, they would have a few officers there asap most likely. Just to be "proactive" correct? God forbid anyone wants to take the time to check out or better yet take any information about an animal that fits the profile of being known to attack people, in most cases children, wondering around a neighborhood where a bunch of kids play. Is what it is I guess.
By the way. I don't agree with open carry just because. I think its stupid and provokes but to each his own. I was just using it as an example. If anyone might feel the need to comment lets not turn it into a cop bashing deal either. Its the lack of concern all around I'm questioning. Not any specific job or duty. Hopefully it was just the view point of the operator.
While leaving my neighborhood, I noticed a very large dog with no collar. It was without a doubt a pit bull or a mixed breed with heavy pit bull influence. Normally when most see a stray dog we just go about our business but in this case I would rather be safe than sorry especially with the frequency of dog attacks that have involved children. The dog was walking through the street and yards where there are small children usually at play during the day. I was also concerned for the dog. I have friends that have pit bulls that wouldn't hurt a flea but there are people that would shoot the dog because of paranoia or just because they want to shoot something and have a justification. I would hate to see a family pet unjustly terminated. I took the time to call Paulding County Animal Control a few times. I understand they are possibly very busy and was sent to VM. Before you leave a VM it states that if you have a non emergency that you feel needs to be reported and you can't get in touch with Animal Control it gives a secondary number to call for assistance. Again, just to be safe than sorry I called the number. That number gave me a few options mostly to admin staff and one for PCSO, Hiram Pd and Dallas PD. This apparently was the non emergency 911 line. I started explaining the situation and before I even finished she proceeded to tell me, in quite a rude tone I may add, that they don't handle that kind of stuff and to leave a message with Animal Control and they will call me back if they feel its an issue. I calmly told her that I understand that and once again explained that if it wasn't for the recent media coverage on this type dog mauling children I wouldn't have bothered calling at all but because the dog was around where small children play I would think they would at least want to take my name, maybe the location of where the dog was sighted just in case. She then proceeds to tell me that unless the dog is showing aggressive behavior they won't do anything and if it does to call them back. That is where the situation really opened my eyes. I told her so what she is basically saying is that if or when the dog could have possibly come up to a child or anyone for that matter and showed aggressive behavior or possibly worse attacked them then to call? I just cant see that being the view point of all public safety, that they would prefer to be reactive than be a little proactive. I couldn't keep my mouth shut so I just had to throw out there that if a guy was legally or not legally open carrying a weapon around where children were known to be playing that they would send multiple officers no doubt and that I think there has been more media press on dogs attacking children than law abiding gun carriers harming people but whatever. I asked for her name because I wanted to file a complaint or talk to a supervisor. Of course she refused to give me her name and just her operator number 15. I asked to be transferred to a supervisor and was put on hold of course and I realized I was just frustrating myself and this was going no where so I hung up. It wasn't like I was asking them to drop everything and send an officer right away or at all in that matter but at least show a little concern to take some basic information and make me feel like you care even if you don't instead of telling me to call the number I have all ready called with no answer and leave a VM. Not to mention the number she wanted me to call tells you to call them if you can't reach Animal Control. Geeeez.
Here is my issue. If the number that was given by the animal control to contact in the event of a non emergency situation one may feel needs to be reported and you cant get in touch with the animal control at that time, why give a number to where they are going to tell you they don't handle that or basically even care. The real sad part is that I personally know many officers in the area that in the best interest of children would have had no issues of just doing a courtesy drive by and I can't think for one minute that Sheriff Gary Gulldege would have the attitude and say "just call us back in the event some one is attacked or a child is mauled before we even consider looking into it". I thought public safety encouraged civilians to report a possible incident BEFORE something bad could happen? You always here them saying that the public needs to get more involved and report suspicious behavior and look after one another in a community. Well, If doing this is anything like the experience I got today no wonder fewer people are reporting things and trying to take matters into their own hands. What choices do you have. I know I'm being extreme but I think most will get the point.
I guess I'll quit ranting now but I hope I don't get home and some child was attacked or someone's harmless pet was gunned down due to paranoia or because they called the authorities and got the same response.
Before anyone starts jumping on this I know there are bigger problems in the world and they get hit with senseless calls everyday. I get this. No worries. They cant be every where and have to prioritize. I also know that the civilian public is responsible for their own safety as well and should take the proper precautions. The point I'm trying to make is if one of my neighbors had an ar15 strapped on his back, harmlessly walking up the street to show his buddy a new purchase and someone saw this and reported it, they would have a few officers there asap most likely. Just to be "proactive" correct? God forbid anyone wants to take the time to check out or better yet take any information about an animal that fits the profile of being known to attack people, in most cases children, wondering around a neighborhood where a bunch of kids play. Is what it is I guess.
By the way. I don't agree with open carry just because. I think its stupid and provokes but to each his own. I was just using it as an example. If anyone might feel the need to comment lets not turn it into a cop bashing deal either. Its the lack of concern all around I'm questioning. Not any specific job or duty. Hopefully it was just the view point of the operator.
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....but true
