Some situations are viewed in black and white; right and wrong. Yet, many people think situations also have a grey area where solutions are not so easily discerned.
What Do You Think? Submitted for Your Consideration and Conversation
Your neighbor, whom you get along with very well, gets a new dog. While the dog seems fairly calm when you meet it, as your children play you see the dog reacting aggressively if they get close to him.
On numerous occasions, the dog escapes through the gate and terrorizes the neighborhood. While he doesn’t bite, his barking and aggressive behavior send the neighborhood children running inside.
You tell your neighbor that the dog is behaving threateningly toward your children, and you are concerned. The neighbor understands, and builds a better fence to keep the dog in his yard.
Your neighbor is doing everything he can to control the dog. You know he is trying to prevent a problem; however, the dog continues to escape despite his owner’s best efforts at fencing and training.
A friend stops by, and she tells your wife you should call animal control to complain about the dog. You and your wife disagree with causing trouble for your neighbor, and the friend pushes the issue for “your childrens’ safety.”
Would you take her advice, or find a different way to fix the situation? Do you feel you should go to your neighbor and insist he get rid of the animal? Do you fence in your yard to keep your children safe? Do you go against your own judgement and call animal control?
Alternatively, what if someone else calls animal control? Would you take your neighbor’s side when the dog catcher arrives?
What do you think is the best course of action to keep the peace with your neighbor and keep your children safe?
