Dear Editor, Every day within our city our police departments
respond to complaints about barking dogs. Why aren’t all of the
complaints front-page news?
Disheartening, Irresponsible Story About Firefighter Who Allegedly Poisoned a Dog
Dear Editor,
Every day within our city our police departments respond to complaints about barking dogs. Why aren’t all of the complaints front-page news? What made this case any different? Was it because the person reporting the violation was a dedicated public safety officer? Was it the headline that attracts readers to sell more papers? Or was it the Dispatch deciding it would be great to run a story about a neighbor who allegedly poisoned a dog, regardless if it’s true or not?
So what has this “public allegation” really accomplished?
n Well it’s got an investigation in to the matter started. This, by the way, would have started with or without the front-page story. That as the Dispatch would say is a “cheer.”
n It took the attention away from the real issue which is the compliant about a barking dog, “Cheers” for the dog owners.
n It’s added undue pressure to a respectable public safety officer and his family who shouldn’t be judged without due process. “Jeers.”
n Finally, it lets all those dog owners know that if there’s ever a complaint filed against you and the complainant is a public safety officer and he comes to your house to resolve the issue, because most public safety officers are trained to resolve issues, just tell them “I’m sorry, he’s just a little puppy.” Don’t try to resolve anything just continue to be an irresponsible dog owner and allow the police to take care of the problem. Even if that means them coming to your house 15 or more times. Then make an allegation that the complainant abused his power, as a public safety officer, and tried poisoning your dog. Write a letter to the safety officer’s department and demand that he be “reprimanded and suspended if not fired” then let the Dispatch know about it so you can get your family picture on the front page. “Jeers”
Reporting of this story was premature! If the Dispatch wants allegations to sell papers I’m sure they can go to any neighborhood in our city and get all the allegations they need. The bottom line is until an allegation has been investigated and proven to be fact it has no merit and certainly doesn’t belong on the front page of our local paper.
I enjoy reading our local paper as I’m sure most of you do. But stories such as this one don’t belong in our local paper they belong in the Enquirer. So I plead to the editor be responsible with the authority that has been given to you.
“Because no deadline is more important than the truth.”
Mark Ordaz, Gilroy
