Cat problem
It was Friday afternoon, 11 June 2021. Somebody was knocking at the door. I didn’t expect anybody taking in consideration the restriction due to Covid 19. In front of the door was a woman in Brimbank City Council uniform. The serious expression on her face was a sign that a big problem was in question. In her hand, she was holding a small collar, probably belonging to a cat. She kindly introduced herself, explained where she was coming from and asked politely: “Do you recognise it?” showing the collar.
I didn’t recognise it but my wife said that it most probably belongs to some of our cats. I was still waiting to see what the problem is. Finally, the mystery was solved. Apparently, our cat was noticed in a neighbour’s backyard where the collar was found. The neighbour informed the Brimbank City Council about the incident. At first, I was surprised by the problem. And then, I felt a kind of happiness. If, at the moment, the biggest problem is my cat noticed in the neighbour’s backyard, and the City Council is devoted to solving the “problem”, it means that all other problems are already solved.
My first thought was that I chose the right country to live in.
The Brimbank City Council officer recommended that I should not allow my cat to go to the neighbor’s backyard. If I am not able to control the cat, I should make an enclosure for the cat or put it in a cage or put electrical fence around the house. Otherwise, they will set a trap and catch the cat. She didn’t explain what they would do next.
Then, I remembered the other cases in connection to the Brimbank City Council and their “concerns” about the citizens.
Case 1.
In 2007 my daughter was attacked around 50m from our house, while taking our two dogs for a walk (small breeds Maltese and Silky terrier). They were attacked by two pit bull terriers, at that time a banned breed in Australia). My daughter suffered wounds and scratches, Jack (silky terrier) was literary torn (internal organs were torn to such extent that he was put to sleep in hospital that night), Brandy (Maltese terrier) was wounded and covered with blood but he survived. The pit bull terriers, that attacked our daughter, were free, without leashes and the owner was not around.
The Brimbank City Council was informed but never I heard from them nor heard what happened next. Actually, they gave the details of our daughter to the attacking dogs’ owner who kept on harassing her for some time after the incident.
Case 2.
From 2007 till 2017 our neighbours were listening to the music too loud almost every day, all day long. The music was so loud that my daughters were not able to study. Even with closed windows, we were not able to watch TV normally, listen to the radio or communicate with telephone. Basses were so strong that vibrations were felt throughout the house. The music was lasting for all day long and sometimes during the nights. The source of music was sometimes in the house, sometimes the covered are in the backyard, sometimes front yard (from the car with 1100W strong subwoofer). For a few years they let the caravan (situated in their back yard next to our fence). It was the source of loud music too even at times when there was nobody in the caravan. We informed The Brimbank City Council about that and asked for a help. They asked me to make a diary with precise dates and times when loud music occurs. When I told them that I already had a diary, their response was:
– They can’t do anything because the source of music is in the private property. If it was in the public area (street, park etc) they would be able to intervene.
– The neighbor had the right to listen to loud music
Now, I started thinking about the cases.
1. When banned breed of dogs, unleashed, attack a teenager on the street (public property) and kill properly registered and leashed dog, this is OK. Not only that, the owner of the attacker dogs is informed about the victim’s address. But, when my cat is noticed in the neighbour’s backyard (private property) , The Brimbank City Council jumps in immediately to “solve” the problem.
2. The neighbor, who doesn’t work and who lives on taxpayer’s (my) money, has the right to listen to the loud music all day long (and often during night). My daughters don’t have the right to study and prepare for exams in a quiet atmosphere. Actually, he has more right to listen to the loud music than them to study.
Now, I ask myself: Who is the crazy one here? Am I missing something?
Which kind of society is it?
Anyway, something is not normal |