Back to the lockup dog

The weather is getting warmer, that means that the greatest threat to you is not weapons of Mass Destruction, crime on the Eastside, Drunk Drivers or a jilted lover . . . According the the local news (especially KCTV5) you really have to live in fear of dogs (when not fretting over somebody jumping out of your computer screen and raping you) . . . To wit, a local dog Faces house arrest . . . And I already wonder if he'll get one of those neat ankle bracelets and have to make calls to his PO to inform "the man" regarding his whereabouts . . .

A dog faces house arrest after allegedly biting a fire inspector.

The dog was under an awning outside a coffee shop in Brookside this morning. He reportedly heard a clap of thunder and got scared. That was when the fire inspector, who was under the awning trying to avoid the rain, got bit . . .

The owner says the dog has all his shots, but will have to stay inside the house for about 10 days.

That's ruff (ugh) I know some people who nearly went crazy being forced to stay inside their house for more than a month, so I have no idea what that'll do to an animal who would rather be playing in the park and frolicking outdoors . . . Additionally, if the mutt is anything like the humans I've known who have underwent house arrest . . . The animal won't learn much other than the notion that getting caught and punished was the only thing that was really regrettable.

Still . . . A lot of folks believe that any kind of alternative to the normal lock up is a good idea. Who knows if they're right BUT maybe if animals don't automatically get caged up then humans might merit the same treatment. A lot of people think so given that in a recent survey half of Missourians claimed to support using drug courts rather than prison for first-time offenders.