Irresponsible Dog Ownership is Plain Criminal

SENIOR CENTER AT CRC

“How possible would it be to change the Centennial Recreation Center sign to preface it with the words “Senior Center” or just “Senior and Recreation Center?”

RED PHONE

Seniors are important and we owe them a lot of gratitude and respect. Therefore, Red Phone took your question and concern directly to Chris Ghione, the recreation manager at the Centennial Recreation Center.

Ghione informed us that the issue was brought to their attention at the last two Senior Advisory Commission meetings. Ghione agreed with the Red Phone and seniors that it is important that the Senior Center at the Centennial Recreation Center be easy to locate. But, according to Ghione, the monument sign may not be the appropriate location for this addition. Recreation officials feel the CRC is a multi-use facility that houses a variety of other facilities including the Senior Center, Teen Center, Fitness Center, as well other recreation amenities. Ghione also said it would be difficult to include all the different areas of the facility on the existing monument sign and stressed they don’t place priority of one over the other. 

At the last Senior Advisory Commission meeting several ideas on signage to improve ease of access to the Senior Center were discussed. Ghione said these ideas will be further reviewed by the commission and staff, who will formulate a plan on additional signage for the site. If you have additional questions, caller, please contact Ghione at (408) 782-2128, ext. 801.

DOG POOP ETIQUETTE

“There is a one-block stretch of sidewalk in my neighborhood on Llagas Road between Christeph and Llagas Vista drives that is plagued with dog piles that irresponsible dog owners have failed to pick up. The problem is disgusting. Can the city help in this regard and post “Mutt Mitts” for public use? If not, can I sponsor a post with mitts and if so do I need a permit?”

RED PHONE

That’s disgusting, caller. Nothing upsets the Red Phone more than irresponsible dog ownership and allowing animals to pee and poop on private and public property is criminal. That’s right. It’s against the law, but unfortunately so difficult to enforce. Mori Struve, deputy director of Morgan Hill’s Department of Public Works, told the Red Phone that a coordinated effort will be under way between code enforcement officer John Amos and Anne Beale, the maintenance supervisor over streets and parks. Struve said they would be happy to work with you, caller, to install a “mutt mitt” station near the offending area if you are willing to sponsor it by keeping it stocked with the mitts. Struve said the city will provide the dispenser and the mitts. The city’s difficulty is the time and labor involved in stocking the station. Struve also said the city will place a trash can so people can use the receptacle to discard the waste. The city will arrange for South Valley Disposal to empty the can. Please call Beale at 776-7333 to make the arrangements. Red Phone also believes that, when possible, it’s important to speak to offenders in a polite manner asking, sometimes pleading, for the egregious act to stop.

SOMETHING FISHY HERE

“I have left numerous messages with the animal control officer in regards to getting a trap for the animal(s) that are eating my very expensive koi fish in my back yard koi pond. I have a possum problem as well and still have not heard from them in several days. My children are upset that the fish are disappearing and ask me to do something. All that I ask is to have my phone call returned with a nice message as to what they can or suggest I do to keep my fish. I think the 48-hour rule should apply here.”

RED PHONE

Yikes, caller, that sounds like a traumatic thing for small children to witness – the disappearance of koi fish from a pond that they probably helped raise. Sorry to hear about this problem, caller. According to Morgan Hill’s animal control officer Daniel Pina, State Fish and Game does not allow trapping of wildlife. The traps that he has are only for cats and dogs. Also, Pina said he’s been receiving many complaints related to wildlife in residential areas. Pina suspects the reason might be that the public is leaving cat and dog food outside. Also several lawns are infested with grubs that are hard to get rid of. The best thing to do would be to first start by treating the lawn then making sure that all cat and dog food is not left outside. If you don’t have any animals talk to your neighbors and let them know that it is not good to leave food outside over night.