Conference noted::bicycle

    I've been on that road and chased by those dogs!!  What a pain!!
    They all just want to chase and don't "seem" to want to bite, but
    I don't hang around to find out!  If you get anywhere with the 
    complaint let me know!!!  I'd be glad to file one!!!
    
    There's one dog in particular that's real fast!!!  He lives right
    at the end of the road on the pepperel side.  I saw him chasing
    a car once that must have been doing 40!!  No way I'm gonna out
    sprint him!!!!
    
    Stew

    I also ride that route 2 or 3 times a week.  I haven't had too many
    problems, luckily.  But, as Stew said, that PitBull that lives on
    the end of Brookline Street -- though he's only run after me, I
    don't want to be around to see if he bites.  
    
    I live in Pepperell, but I don't know what the leash laws say. 
    I'd also liek to complain about my neighbors dog who tries to attack
    my cats right on our back porch.
    
    	-Nancy
    
    

    If you can locate the owner, then definitely file a complaint.

    I had a problem with a dog barking *incessantly* that was owned by people
    in a house behind us, and we were able to force them to keep the dog
    inside.  Myself and another neighbor to the side filed the complaints.

    It will definitely help if multiple cyclists file complaints against
    the same people.

    - Jim

    I have looked into complaining about these dogs and this is
    what I found.
    
    Pepperell has no leash law, however, according to the dog officer
    the dogs should not be allowed to chase you into the street.  You
    can call and complain and the officer will speak with the owners.
    The dog in Pepperell that always chases me is the gray and brown
    or black dog that lives at 10 Brookline Street (large yellow house).
    The officer is aware of who this dog is, but thought the dog only
    chased along his property and not into the street.  I informed him
    that I usually cross the street when I get to that house but the
    dog follows me. He didn't think there was a problem because I was
    the first to complain.  I think if enough of us complain maybe the
    owners will do something about it (wishful thinking). I warned the
    officer that he may be getting additional calls.  If you would like
    to complain give him a call at 508-433-5019.  You will probably
    get an answering machine.  Leave a message, he will call you back.
    
    Hollis does have a leash law.  You can call the Hollis Police Station
    at 603-465-7637 and file a complaint, which they will then turn
    over to the dog officer.  You will need the address of the dog.
    The lady also said if you could get the number off the dog tag that
    would help (sorry--I'm not getting that close).  I'm not sure exactly
    which house belongs to the dog who chased me in Hollis so I cannot
    file a complaint yet, but I'm keeping my eyes open for the exact
    house.  The dog was a large brown dog who lived on the left hand
    side of the road (if you are coming from Brookline) before you come
    to the duck pond.  So if anyone knows where he lives for sure I
    would appreciate a house number.                   
    
    I appreciate anyone's help in getting these dogs to stay on their
    property.  I would like to continue to ride that road.
    
    
    

    The dog in Hollis -- are you talking about the one that lives in
    the house that is right before that broken down house that has a
    deserted hippie school bus in the yard, along with hundreds of used
    tires and other miscellaneous trash?  I don't know what the dogs
    house looks like though.
    
    Or, are you talking about a different dog altogether?
    
    	-Nancy

    Brookline Road is a tough area for dogs, and a beautiful road to
    ride or race on. I live in Hollis and ride my bike their quite a
    bit. Last year, when the Hollis High School Bicycle Racing Team
    ran a race on that road (last summer), members of the racing team
    approached the owners of these dogs (six of them in all) and asked
    them to tie their dogs up during the race. They all cooperated and
    kept their dogs tied up.
    
    I run a bicycle race in Hollis called the Fall Freedom Ride on that
    same course using Brookline Road. The race is on October 1st. We
    plan to ask for the cooperation of these same dog owners a few days
    before the race and hope to get the same cooperation. 
    
    This doesn't solve the daily problem, however. I don't know what
    the answer is. Perhaps publishing the addressess of the owners and
    talking to the more serious problems (eg pit bull) might help. When
    I ride that street, I ride as fast as I can and when I see dogs,
    I squirt them with water from my water bottle. Dogs hate water and
    it seems to work well.

Re: .6

Sigh...one might reasonably expect that after repeated requests to keep 
their dogs tied at certain times, it might occur to the owners that 
there is a problem.  Oh well...

.jim

    If you know the names and addresses of the dogs, it might
    be beneficial to report them to the Hollis Police Department.
    They will take complaints.  Maybe if enough people complain
    something can be done.  Unfortunately, in Pepperell there is
    no leash law.  You can complain to the dog officer and he will
    notify the owners, but what good will it do.
    
    

    This is a "pet" peeve of mine. And I know I'm a little slow on the
    draw here, but shouldn't this topic be titled:
    
    
    
                 FORMAL STUPID DOG OWNER COMPLAINTS
    
    Chip

    How about
    
    	FORMAL COMPLAINTS AGAINST STUPID DOG OWNERS
    
    ed

    Yeah, that's it. Sorry for the confusion. The complaint isn't stupid.
    The dog is expected to be not the human.

< Note 842.9 by WMOIS::C_GIROUARD >
                             -< WRONG TOPIC TITLE >-

>                 FORMAL STUPID DOG OWNER COMPLAINTS

Or was it complaints against FORMAL stupid dog owners, versus INFORMAL owners?

    I guess stupidity is stupidity regardless of its formality ir
    informality, regardless of its color, religion or gender. It's
    just one of those categories that's blind to discrimination.
    
    "PUT THE OWNER TO SLEEP", I always say.
    
    Chip