“Mike,

1) ¿In my view it¿s clear that people without compassion for animals are likely to be short of compassion for human beings as well¿. Firstly, as I pointed out in my last response, I do have a love of animals, just not cats and dogs. How you then arrived at the conclusion that I have no compassion for humans is puzzling given that in every single post I have made I have refered to such concerns.
2) The law is clear on this, barking dogs constitute a noise nuisance. Therefore, one would hope something would be done about it.
3) I am fed up of cats and dogs. Many other people are also fed up of cats and dogs (the multi million pound industry in keeping cats out of gardens proves as much). I am perfectly entitled to this view, and you are perfectly entitled to yours ¿ but please don¿t bring personal abuse into this as it furthers nothing.
4) ¿I wouldn¿t be surprised if those in favour of a cull would support your call for closure of the BCADH¿. I would actually ¿ though I¿m pleased that you at least can see the double standards of valuing some animal lives over other.

I am going away tomorrow so won¿t be able to respond further ¿ apologies.”

“Sam,

Let me try and deal with your responses to responses, and your original statements while I¿m at it.

Firstly, the fact that you claim to see so much ¿human tragedy in the world¿ and your frustration which leads you to question people¿s priorities in supporting a dog¿s home. That comment is self centred and naïve on many levels, but perhaps the best answer to that was provided by Mahatma Ghandi when he said ¿The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated¿. You seem to disagree with this, but in my view it¿s clear that people without compassion for animals are likely to be short of compassion for human beings as well.

Secondly, your comparison of moving close to a animal shelter with moving next door to a noisy neighbour is ludicrous ¿ there is, rightly, legislation in place to try and prevent excessive noise in a domestic situation, but did you really believe that the noise from these unwanted animals could be stopped or would be stopped when you moved in?

Thirdly, your response to being accused of being vindictive and called a scrotebag ¿ you claim to have said nothing offensive. I am astonished that you feel you have said nothing offensive ¿ how about asking for the home to be closed down, because it¿s wrecking your tranquil walks? I find that extremely offensive and I dare say I¿m not the only one. You would happily euthanize dozens of animals just so you can have a quiet walk, and you think that¿s not going to offend someone ¿ perhaps you need to grow up a little.

Lastly, you bring the question of the seagull cull in to your argument. I, for one, am vehemently opposed to that, as I am to killing all defenceless creatures, but I wouldn¿t be surprised if those in favour of a cull would support your call for closure of the BCADH. You say the cats and dogs are treated better because they¿re cute and cuddly, which is a ridiculous argument. There are ¿cute and cuddly¿ wild animals ¿ rabbits, ferrets etc ¿ which are not treated this way. No, they are kept like this because they have been domesticated by humans and would not survive any other way.

Perhaps I could suggest that when you are taking one of your walks in Rainbow Wood, you walk a bit further and go into the BCADH for a look around. Maybe even take a dog home with you ¿ perhaps when you see the trust and love in a dog¿s eyes, because you are their world and without you they couldn¿t survive, you may have a rethink on your complaints.”

“Let me try and deal with some of these responses.

Firstly, I concede that money not given to Bath Cats and Dogs Home would not necessarily have gone to other charities. I also appreciate that people who have donated to BCADH may well have given to other charities also. Perhaps I was wrong to question other people¿s choice of charity to support¿ I just get frustrated that I see so much human tragedy in the world which leads me to question people priorities in supporting a dog¿s home.

On the noise nuisance ¿ to argue that the cats and dogs home was there first is irrelevant. Were I to move next door to a barking dog or a noisy neighbour it would be no defence to argue that they were noisy before I got there so just deal with it. The law would support me in this and the government publishes specific advice regarding barking dogs (see http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/WhereYouLive/NoiseNuisanceAndLitter/DG_10029682). Incidentally, Birds and grass hoppers are wild animals ¿ part of our natural habitat, of course I am not suggesting silencing them. Dogs barking in pens are not wild animals and therefore detract from the natural surroundings.

Some on this thread (¿Poopy Bum, Bath¿) have suggested that I am being vindictive and that my comments should be removed. I find this quite astonishing; while none of you agree with me, I have said nothing offensive. Indeed, the last contributor who called me a scrotebag has far more reason to be ashamed. I have no idea why I am selfish or greedy, simply because I hold a different view to you all does not justify this.

Contrary to what you all seem to think of me ¿ I am no animal hater. I am vehemently opposed to wale and fox hunting, and will only buy ethically produced meat. I am however no lover of cats who poo all over my garden and dig up my seeds, and dogs whose dirt I dodge all the way along the canal tow path and whose barking makes such a racket. I am not alone here.

Finally, it is regularly reported on this website there is to be a seagull cull in Bath. It attracts many people supporting it, often graphically, but gets no where near the level of anger as on this thread. Before you all jump in, I am not suggesting a cull of cats and dogs, but I do question what morally makes a seagulls life so much less important than that a cat or dog? I suggest it is simply because they are cute and cuddly and for me that is unacceptable.”

“Let me try and deal with some of these responses.

Firstly, I concede that money not given to Bath Cats and Dogs Home would not necessarily have gone to other charities. I also appreciate that people who have donated to BCADH may well have given to other charities also. Perhaps I was wrong to question other people¿s choice of charity to support¿ I just get frustrated that I see so much human tragedy in the world which leads me to question people priorities in supporting a dog¿s home.

On the noise nuisance ¿ to argue that the cats and dogs home was there first is irrelevant. Were I to move next door to a barking dog or a noisy neighbour it would be no defence to argue that they were noisy before I got there so just deal with it. The law would support me in this and the government publishes specific advice regarding barking dogs (see http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/WhereYouLive/NoiseNuisanceAndLitter/DG_10029682). Incidentally, Birds and grass hoppers are wild animals ¿ part of our natural habitat, of course I am not suggesting silencing them. Dogs barking in pens are not wild animals and therefore detract from the natural surroundings.

Some on this thread (¿Poopy Bum, Bath¿) have suggested that I am being vindictive and that my comments should be removed. I find this quite astonishing; while none of you agree with me, I have said nothing offensive. Indeed, the last contributor who called me a scrotebag has far more reason to be ashamed. I have no idea why I am selfish or greedy, simply because I hold a different view to you all does not justify this.

Contrary to what you all seem to think of me ¿ I am no animal hater. I am vehemently opposed to wale and fox hunting, and will only buy ethically produced meat. I am however no lover of cats who poo all over my garden and dig up my seeds, and dogs whose dirt I dodge all the way along the canal tow path and whose barking makes such a racket. I am not alone here.

Finally, it is regularly reported on this website there is to be a seagull cull in Bath. It attracts many people supporting it, often graphically, but gets no where near the level of anger as on this thread. Before you all jump in, I am not suggesting a cull of cats and dogs, but I do question what morally makes a seagulls life so much less important than that a cat or dog? I suggest it is simply because they are cute and cuddly and for me that is unacceptable.”

“It would appear that 'Sam' is a selfish greedy and self opinionated scrotebag - the type of person who is an example of what is wrong with humankind.
Conflict and suffering in the world is... caused by greed, religion and politics - traits of which cats and dogs do not have, they exist to survive without judging others or trying to force their ethics or beliefs on others as we do.
If we stop the dogs barking what next? the birds singing - then the grasshoppers etc until we have Sams world of silence and solitude.”

“Dear Sam


You appear to have a somewhat black and white view of the world, don't you? Has the possibility not occurred to you that people that support the BCADH may also have donated towards various humanitarian relief issues as well? And not just one that you've picked off the front pages of this week's news to make yourself feel better about yourself?


As has already been said - the home was there a long time before many houses where built in the area and certainly before many of the current inhabitants. Simple really - if you don't like the sound don't live there. I don't like being woken by intercity trains therefore I don't live in a house backing on a mainline railway. However, this is the first complaint I have ever heard about the noise from the home.


And who are you to tell people which cause is more worthwhile than another? I personally like to donate to the home because they do an excellent and important job. I also donate to Amnesty International for exactly the same reason. I wonder how this fits into your narrow and naive world view?”

“Please use the report abuse button if you are concerned - thanks”

“Sam, you are a very selfish sad individual who has obviously posted here to create a reaction. Bath Chron - you should remove Sam's comment as it is just purely vindictive.”

“Dear Sam, whilst I can appreciate the inconvenience that the noise generated by the Bath Cats and Dogs home, I feel that I must still contest your views on several grounds. Firstly, whilst we discuss a 'finite' amount of money in distribution it is fair to say that this is a mute point. Many of the attendants to the annual open day, had they not of attended, would not have necessarily have directed their funds towards a charity that you 'deem' more worthwhile. Therefore, is it not logically more advantageous that a portion of this 'finite' fund generated by the public pocket does end up with a charitable cause rather then squandered as expendable income.
In regards to your point pertaining to the lack of focus towards human charities, this really bears little relevance to the bath cats and dog home. Just because they have organised a well publicised and successful event should not count against them, I feel your frustration could be more appropriately directed towards the human related charities for their apparent failure to organise such successful events. Accordingly perhaps there is an initiative that can be taken away from this. Finally, whilst you note, and i agree on the most-part that there are financial limitations. Your primary objections appear to somewhat lacking in altruism. As Rosie rightly says, if the home were to shut, then thousands of animals would surely have to be euthanised. Let us now compare this potential level of damage against your level of personal inconvenience. Whilst money doesn't stretch far: One would hope that human compassion would stretch a little further.”

“Dear Sam, whilst I can appreciate the inconvenience that the noise generated by the Bath Cats and Dogs home, I feel that I must still contest your views on several grounds. Firstly, whilst we discuss a 'finite' amount of money in distribution it is fair to say that this is a mute point. Many of the attendants to the annual open day, had they not of attended, would not have necessarily have directed their funds towards a charity that you 'deem' more worthwhile. Therefore, is it not logically more advantageous that a portion of this 'finite' fund generated by the public pocket does end up with a charitable cause rather then squandered as expendable income.
In regards to your point pertaining to the lack of focus towards human charities, this really bears little relevance to the bath cats and dog home. Just because they have organised a well publicised and successful event should not count against them, I feel your frustration could be more appropriately directed towards the human related charities for their apparent failure to organise such successful events. Accordingly perhaps there is an initiative that can be taken away from this. Finally, whilst you note, and i agree on the most-part that there are financial limitations. Your primary objections appear to somewhat lacking in altruism. As Rosie rightly says, if the home were to shut, then thousands of animals would surely have to be euthanised. Let us now compare this potential level of damage against your level of personal inconvenience. Whilst money doesn't stretch far: One would hope that human compassion would stretch a little further.”