Dear Tell All: You've been running letters on noisy nuisances in Madison neighborhoods ("Death to My Noisy Neighbor," 4/11/2013; "Car Stereos Cranked to 11," 5/2/2013). No one has mentioned the noisiest nuisance of all, worse than boom cars or loud music. Barking dogs!
I don't begrudge anyone having a furry friend. I don't mind dogs - at least the ones that are well behaved. But I don't understand the Madisonians (you know who you are) who let their ill-mannered beasts yap, woof and howl outside, for as long as they feel like it. The worst is when it happens late at night or early in the morning, as neighbors try to sleep. At this point, shouldn't the dog owner rush to muzzle the pet, or hustle him into the house so he won't bother anybody?
As I said, I don't mind dogs. It's their owners who drive me crazy.
Dog Tired
Dear Tell All: This is in response to Boom Boom Room, who can't stand hearing the "boom cars" that blast their music for everyone to hear (5/2/2013). These inconsiderate boors plague my neighborhood too, but there is a solution. The Madison Police Department has a form you can submit (in person or fax) to your local precinct with details about an incident. It's a bit of a hassle, and not the MPD's top priority. But when they bust a driver, the ticket is $100, and that usually shuts them up. Contact your local precinct, and be persistent.
Aficionado of Calm
Dear Tell All: Crabby Road complained about his loud, untalented neighbor, who plays guitar and sings Beatles songs at high decibels (4/11/2013). Your letter writer Deaf Leppard (5/2/2013) suggested that Crabby should drown out the pest's music by cranking up Judas Priest's "Screaming for Vengeance" or AC/DC's "Hell's Bells." But the noisy neighbor might actually like the loud rock songs! Crabby should instead blast whatever music is the opposite of what Noisy Neighbor plays. Perhaps opera, or Mozart.
They might both get tickets and fines for disturbing the peace, but then maybe the Beatles nuisance would end.
Hear and Obey
Do you have a question about life or love in Madison? Write Tell All, 101 King St., Madison, WI 53703. Or email tellall@isthmus.com.