I attended a meeting on June 8 which was held by the city of Simi Valley for approximately 30 concerned residents on excessive dog barking. It was chaired by City Council member Barbra Williamson.

The following is a condensed recap of what was voiced at this meeting:

The animal regulation and code compliance should be brought back to Simi Valley to serve the residents of this city. The current system is contracted with the Ventura County and is not serving our residents with trying to get relief from excessive dog barking.

Change the code so one person, not two (which is the current requirement), can file a complaint and get help.

At some level of noncompliance, fines must be implemented before this can be effective. Without some consequences this code enforcement is ineffective.

Get the Simi Police involved in the enforcement of this animal regulation code. They currently will not get involved unless it is after 9 p.m. What is magic about after 9 p.m? Residents suffer all day long.

Have the city add an "excessive dog barking" phone number on their city Community Services Directory. They publish this city service information quite often. The city lists call numbers for graffiti, potholes and dog licenses. They can provide a number for this service.

This is not a dog issue, it is a people issue. Most of us are dog lovers.

If anybody would like to express their concerns on this issue, you can e-mail and join this cause at stopthebarkingdog.simivalley @gmail.com.

With your support we can make this change.

All residents of Simi Valley have the right to expect peace and quiet 24 hours a day while in their homes. Sherrill Strothman Simi Valley