Over the last five months approximately 40 residents of Simi Valley came together and requested that the city take back the code enforcement of excessive dog barking and fix a broken system that was not working through Ventura County.

The results of the Aug. 31 council meeting made it clear to us that the City Council did not hear what we were asking them to do. I believe their decisions of that night just made the system worse, and I will try to illustrate.

Simi Valley filed 117 complaints with Ventura County Animal Regulations in 2008. This was the most filed by any city in Ventura County.

Of the 117, only three complainants got hearings. I was one of those. From my experience, this system is set up to block all attempts to get relief from excessive barking.

What the mayor and the council voted for will only release more complainants to a system that is overburdened and underfinanced. Going from the two-complainant requirement to one (only with special circumstances) is a farce.

By rejecting a citation/fine system they kept this process benign. One council member said, “Fining wouldn’t stop dog barking.” What is their logic?

Councilmember Glen Becerra said, “There are some people who like to just make other people miserable,” and, “The world is noisy, and that is just the way it is.” So, folks of Simi Valley, he is telling you to just suck it up. This is the mentality we were dealing with.

If you do decide to contact animal control over a barking dog, please be patient, folks; I waited five months. When you finally get your packet it will dawn on you this is a road to nowhere. You can thank your city government for this one.

By the way, I can save you time by telling you not to call the police. This is not part of their policy and enforcement.

As of today my belief is this city government failed the residents of Simi Valley. The residents of Simi Valley expect and deserve more than what they are receiving from this city government.

When you are working your dog problem, let us know if it is working or not working for you. Email stopthebarkingdog.simivalley @gmail.com.
Sherrill Strothman
Simi Valley