tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post4588825736610498243..comments2024-03-28T17:55:31.180-04:00Comments on The Gossips of Rivertown: Walking the Dog TerrorCarole Osterinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16010623982526286408noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-7771028073475056062010-05-12T21:34:36.169-04:002010-05-12T21:34:36.169-04:00I believe Sotto Voce's story, but in defense o...I believe Sotto Voce's story, but in defense of Union Street, I'd like to say that for the four years I've lived in Hudson I have walked my dog (and religiously cleaned up after her) on Union Street between Worth Avenue and Courthouse Square at least twice a week. And we always have a good time. We chat with friends, greet neighbors, nod to strangers. I don't think this madman lives on Union Street; I think he happened upon this innocent pack of three and something inside him triggered this insane attack. I'll take the advice to heart, however, and start carrying my cell phone, turned on, when I walk Lulu, and know that if anything happens, to report it right away.Debby Mayerhttp://debbymayer.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-22779498731863538362010-05-12T14:22:03.720-04:002010-05-12T14:22:03.720-04:00Sotto Voce writes:
"I suppose we're try...Sotto Voce writes: <br /><br />"I suppose we're trying to gauge the extent to which these issues are related, and if they are, just exactly what it is that we want the police to do about it. I'd rather figure those things out first than just show up [at the police committee meeting] and make generic complaints, if that makes any sense."<br /><br />Our thinking exactly. I'd even say that this makes so much sense that some of us have long since despaired of anything practical coming out of these meetings anyway. <br /><br />T. O'ConnorAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-38272002855906199242010-05-12T11:53:18.904-04:002010-05-12T11:53:18.904-04:00It sounds like this person has some other problems...It sounds like this person has some other problems aside from dog poop. Since we are on the topic, lazy dog owners are a problem, dog poop is also a health hazard as it can carry disease like roundworm that can infect humans with little symptoms but can eventually mess up your brain. No one should be allowed to use violence or threats of violence on anyone, and should be dealt with, but the police should also patrol and enforce fines for lack of clean up after dogs. Some areas, like cherry alley below 1st street, are seen as a local toilet by dog owners, a no scoop zone so to speak.<br /><br />Tim SlowinskiTim Slowinskihttp://slowart.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-35916458096351593232010-05-12T11:13:16.332-04:002010-05-12T11:13:16.332-04:00Hi Sarah,
I share your concern about potential f...Hi Sarah, <br /><br />I share your concern about potential future victims. But the problem is that while the crime of rape is a felony, harassment in the 3rd degree is not even a misdemeanor in New York State. It's a code violation, involving a fine and no jail time. Just as traffic tickets rarely deter speeders, a fine is not enough to deter behavior. But it is enough to make an angry man angrier.<br /><br />The moment to charge the individual with assault (a more serious offense that could entail behavior-changing consequences, including jail time) was at the scene of the crime. Which, silly me, I walked away from.<br /><br />I had a good conversation with a sympathetic police officer who I trust. He said that the individual in question was known to the police, but had never been arrested for any violent offense. He also encouraged us to call 911 and make a complaint should we be harassed again. That promise--combined with a one-year window to file a harassment charge related to the incidents of May 1--is a satisfactory measure of protection for me. <br /><br />So, we agree. I should have made a complaint. That's a mistake that won't happen again. I would encourage others not to make it either.<br /><br />As for blaming the victim: I am most certainly not blaming myself for being attacked! The responsibility for the attack falls on him. However, nothing occurs in a vacuum. I suspect that irresponsible dog owners in Hudson (of which I am not one) have contributed to an environment of hostility in which such outbursts are more likely to occur. I can't exactly prove that contention, but it's a fair guess.<br /><br />Thanks for the invitation to the police committee meeting. However, I'm not sure if we've identified that problem that we're talking about: is it how the police respond to harassment complaints? or to dangerously unleashed dogs? or to dog owners who don't scoop? I suppose we're trying to gauge the extent to which these issues are related, and if they are, just exactly what it is that we want the police to do about it. <br /><br />I'd rather figure those things out first than just show up and make generic complaints, if that makes any sense.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks to all for the supportive comments, and again, to GossipsofRivertown for providing the forum.<br /><br />- Sotto VoceAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-43943196328247218372010-05-12T05:55:53.028-04:002010-05-12T05:55:53.028-04:00Blogger was being annoyingly uncooperative when Fi...Blogger was being annoyingly uncooperative when First Ward Alderman Sarah Sterling tried to post a comment, so I'm posting it for her: <br /><br />"As a member of the Common Council and a resident of Hudson I urge you to press charges against this person. This is the same situation as a rape where the victim is too humiliated and doesn't want to go through the hassle. The next time could be worse. I'm sure this is not the first time this person has been abusive. I simply don't buy the argument that our "overworked urban police force" isn't up to doing their job. OVER HALF of your tax dollars are going to the police department. I urge you and all dog owners and lovers to come to the police committee meeting on May 24th and discuss the situation. Yes, there is a poop problem with owners that let their dogs run loose, but let's not blame the victim. <br />The fine can be raised and solutions can be found and the committee meeting is a good place for open dialogue with the police department. <br /><br />"There is also a policeman/woman assigned to each ward so it's a good idea to find out who has your back."Carole Osterinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16010623982526286408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-75421937965774588912010-05-11T20:06:15.414-04:002010-05-11T20:06:15.414-04:00"I really wish this was not anonymous, as it ..."I really wish this was not anonymous, as it reads as so extreme as to be hard to believe. It almost sounds like an urban legend sort of thing. If true ... "<br /><br />Tom, you're a great believer in the better side of human nature, but the author of the story above describes a reality of Hudson that we ignore at our peril.<br /><br />T. O'ConnorAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-65159464215316253942010-05-11T14:12:33.252-04:002010-05-11T14:12:33.252-04:00What a terrifying story!
Now I always carry a ce...What a terrifying story! <br /><br />Now I always carry a cell phone. In Hudson, I carry a can of pepper spray too. <br /><br />Last week I was accosted by the same staffordshire terrier-and-owner that I had officially complained about a year ago. At that time the officer merely instructed the other fellow to leash his dog. The officer added privately that I might avoid the other man if I saw him out with his dog. After then I pretty much stopped walking at my favorite place, around the landfill at the old fabric (button-) factory.<br /><br />But since then there have been repeated incidents with this affluent bully and his unleashed 4-year old, mostly at the waterfront park. My 12-year old, defenseless dog is always leashed, which is an unfair situation for a dog. Each time I left the scene to avoid problems.<br /><br />Last month the staffordshire was off-leash again, and still out of the owner's control (who was not even in sight), circling us energetically but growing increasingly aggressive, which is the dog's manner.<br /><br />Last week, another incident with the same unleashed staffordshire.<br /><br />I phoned the police, then waited at some distance. After 10 minutes a squad car appeared and the dog was still, visibly unleashed. I explained the situation to the officer, and referred to the last year's officer by name. I told him that I required that the man be fined, with no excuses. <br /><br />In retrospect - now that I more fully comprehend that the other dog owner is a bully - I wish that he had been fined from the first. The mistake I won't let myself make again is neglecting an initial incident. For now on, no second chances either. I recommend that everyone phone the police immediately, at the very least for statistical purposes.<br /><br />But about the HPD, you have to be persistent. In our effort to get another owner of an unleashed dog ticketed after we were viciously attacked on Cross Street, one HPD actively discouraged us every step of the way from pursuing the matter. We persisted, and spent an hour at the station filling out a complaint. A week later we were told that we would have to come down and do it all again; it seemed that the officer had filled in the wrong time of day on the form. So we went down and did it all over again.<br /><br />Two years ago I was bitten while on the Promenade by an unleashed dog. Then I was yelled at by the dog's owner: it was my fault. I immediately phoned the HPD and was asked by the dispatcher if I was sure that Hudson had a leash law!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-80347694146077830612010-05-11T13:59:22.324-04:002010-05-11T13:59:22.324-04:00Gruesome & very tragic.Can this info be broadc...Gruesome & very tragic.Can this info be broadcast to a wider base of people? It should be.Ruth Mosernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-34879146830395995802010-05-11T12:01:40.628-04:002010-05-11T12:01:40.628-04:00P.S.: Had this not been the case, I wouldn't h...P.S.: Had this not been the case, I wouldn't have agreed to publish it.Carole Osterinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16010623982526286408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-3747858598843219462010-05-11T11:59:17.913-04:002010-05-11T11:59:17.913-04:00Tom--The person to whom this happened wanted to pr...Tom--The person to whom this happened wanted to protect his identity, and I agreed to that. I, of course, know who he is and can assure you that he is a very credible reporter of his own bad experience.Carole Osterinkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16010623982526286408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-22695215820880188192010-05-11T10:59:39.025-04:002010-05-11T10:59:39.025-04:00I really wish this was not anonymous, as it reads ...I really wish this was not anonymous, as it reads as so extreme as to be hard to believe. It almost sounds like an urban legend sort of thing. If true, the bully really should be prosecuted, this is not acceptable. But we will all keep an eye out for a 250 pound tall bully on the 500 block of Union St!Tom Swopehttp://www.tomswope.comnoreply@blogger.com