There is a limit to the number of dogs Salem can "support." In the last ten years in our neighborhood, the number of dogs has increased dramatically. We enjoy dogs, as long as their owners are responsible. We live in South Salem. Three of our neighbors have dogs which bark incessantly. One neighbor keeps more than the allotted three dogs per household. From September to June in nearby Forest River Park, leash laws are rarely followed by dog-owners, or enforced by anyone. And some dog-owners become indifferent to picking up poop during those months too. Last winter once the snow began to melt, the amount of "piles" revealed along the paths in the park was unattractive, unsavory, and disheartening! Where's the feeling of responsibility and civility? Sincerely, Mary and Paul (Our neighbors know who we are!)

They had permission to operate before the meeting happened, the neighbors knew nothing about the business type, name, or the fact he is a behavioral specialist in dog training, yet he was granted the permit in his name, why didn't we have his name or the business name in the legal notice?

Once again Prevey has proven to be inept as a Councillor!

I echo the comments made by Mary Kelly. Dogs and cats have multiplied throughout the city in general, and in our neighborhood specifically, and if the owners are responsible and THOUGHTFUL it's fine. But the truth is many are not and that is a real problem. We recently had a pit bull, which the owners never cleaned up after, and was never on a leash, living next door, and it was hell. The yard was unfenced and the dog was allowed to go into the street without a leash. It left its waste everywhere and they let it pile up so -- this was five feet from our kitchen, and inches away from where our gardens were. And they were nasty when asked to clean it up.

Lots of barking too in the neighborhood, and some are not cleaning up when they walk their dogs either. And don't get me started on the cats roaming all day and all night, depositing their waste in other peoples' yards (read: mine, and I'm allergic to cats too, so that makes it really difficult). I worked for a vet when I was young, and I can hardly believe the prospect of disease, annoyance, and misadventure people expose their pets and their neighbors to.

The city needs to rethink some of the health regulations vis a vis pets carefully. I feel really sorry for the people living next door to this proposed dog den. Yikes.

Salem is fast becoming a dog city. I for one love my dog and always pick up after her. I new small business that caters to the large dog population is great, however just like any other business, they need to follow the rules. As long as the dogs are safe and in a clean area in the house, then great. If the neighbors are really being disturbed by several dogs running around in the next yard, then there will be an issue. As I private person when I get home, if I had dogs barking non stop, I would be disappointed and take action. Win that being said, I wish the new business good luck and hope they respect the rules and neighbors.

Curse words and vulgar references will not be accepted here. Let's keep it clean. There is plenty to discuss here without bringing it to that level.

Hi Jared, I did not remove your comment. Let me check on this.

Gene

What is your problem with Councilor Prevey?. You wrote this about the Gas Station
in the comment section
12:52pm on Monday, November 21, 2011

"This is another example of where Prevey was asleep at the switch. The whole problem could have been solved earlier if he had done his due dilligence and remained on top of the issue instead of trying to do the Mayor's"

You were wrong in that statement and you are wrong again, Paul has been there since day one not only for the doggy daycare but also for the other problem that these same neighborss are going through.

First of all, the space is over 125 feet to the nearest home. The possibility that the neighbors will hear and especially smell anything is ridiculous. And the dogs will not be running loose out back. Secondly, "they" did not have permission to operate before the meeting happened. That is a lie. And lastly, the reason Loyal Canines' name was not in the legal notice was because he is the tenant and it is the owner's name which goes in the notice. I just wish these neighbors would give the guy a chance!! I think they will be pleasantly surprised.

most doggie Day cares dont train aggressive dogs with behaviol issues.

Nooooooo

Gene

Councilor Prevey did send a letter to the Appeals board and he was also sitting across the aisle from me and spoke against the doggy daycare at the meeting

The neighbors didn't even know what was going on until they were notified by the ZBA ,in fact at the meeting Mr. Goldberg personally apologized to the neighbors for not contacting them ahead of time
Paul has worked extensively in trying to bring an end to the problems with the body shop

There have been meetings and owners have chose not to attend. Building inspector has been called, Health Department, Police Department etc.and Paul has spoken with all of them. If the department heads do not do anything it is hard to get the problem solved.

As far as the gas station the neighbors met once with the owner and his attorney. Subsequent meetings have been held and owner and attorney have chose not to attend/

As far as the rental for 120 Washington St. You have heard only what the administration and the news wants you to know. Please do me a favor and look into each of these things that I have mentioned and you will find out the true story .

This is another example of the city not considering the impact of their actions.The city has said that their hands are tied with regard to the paint fumes and repair garage due to grandfather clauses.Now, they alow an equally disruptive type business into the same area.We have laws that protect our various freedoms,excessive noise is inforced all the time throughout the city.The problem will be if someone calls about barking dogs the city's response will be "they have a permit". A permit issued by the city without consideration to the neighbors. Have we learned anything from the existing conditions in that area? Can a person get a permit to break the law? In nine months the owner will most likely be able to say "we have not done anything that we were not permitted to due".Another horrible decision by the City of Salem.

Did the ZBA do any due diligence on this business at all? Anderson may have a talent for dealing with dogs, but he also appears to have a gift for deception.

“Coached by some of the best dog trainers in the country, has passed all requirements and demonstrated expertise in handling dogs” says his website, with no details, no resume. And, no, he hasn’t “passed all requirements” by professional standards. He’s not certified by the CBDT or ABS. While certification is not legally required, this misleading text is a red flag.

The site also says he belongs to the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP) and Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). A directory check reveals he’s not a member at their top 2 levels, which require certification and/or professional experience. Level 3 just needs an annual dues check.

Plus he hypes having trained dogs that graduated from Harvard’s Canine Cognition Lab--a lab in the psych dept. where owners volunteer their dogs for tests on social and ethical behaviors. ALL dogs get a “diploma” as thanks.

Mr. Anderson may in fact be a fine dog trainer. The point is, his website raises serious questions about his honesty and professional integrity. Even if 9-11 Franklin St. was a good site for a doggie daycare (it's not), the ZBA certainly could have done a better job of vetting this business (pun intended) before making such an appalling decision.

Oh, and @Jared R: The neighbors in the affected area would not be "trading" the 2 body shops for the doggie day care, as you say you'd be happy to do. The dogs are an add-on.

Think <50 ft from Brake & Clutch on one side, and 80 ft from up to 50 peeing, pooping, and (in spite of what Anderson says) barking dogs on the other, and you might get some idea of why these neighbors are upset.

I have been a client of Mr. Anderson for a few months now and I'm also a salem resident.. I was completely unaware of his qualifications or anything before seeking his help. The only thing that I knew was the fact that he came HIGHLY recommended and I needed SERIOUS help with training my dog. My dog had SEVERE dog aggression and had bitten me on a few different occasions. If it weren't for Mr. Anderson, I would have had to give up my dog and I don't know where I would be. I also did the directory check on Mr Anderson with the IAACP, APDT although he is not a member at the top 2 levels and does not come up on their search directory, if level 3 just needs an annual dues check then so be it. It also doesnt mean he isn't a member. He's the best dog trainer I have ever seen and I didnt believe he could help me but he did. He's in a class of his own and should have his own. I have worked with other trainers before working with Mr. Anderson and there is absolutely no comparison. I'm not too familiar with the certifications, the levels that there are etc etc etc.. but I do know that Anderson does not continue to get recommended based upon these qualifications (the different levels that there are etc etc), ITS BECAUSE of his ability and the work that he is capable of doing and the lives of dogs and dog owners that he consistently changes on a daily basis in a positive way. We're lucky to have him as part of this community. Thank you Jermaine and i'm excited for the new facility!

I have done some very simple research with regard to Ma laws and how they apply to disturbing the peace.It seems very clear that if dogs barking becomes an issue for ONE person,It meets the standard of being in violation of that law.By having the city issue a permit for this to possibly happen should void the nine month trial period and require the city to enforce the law if that person seeks relief. The city,as I see it, has no authority to issue a permit that allows a situation that violates MA laws.

I would just like to comment that I occasionally board my dog at Pet Companions Bed and Biscuit in Reading. Strange as this may seem, they have a rule against barking, and when I've gone to drop off or pick up my dog, I don't hear barking. The good day care and boarding facilities are choosy about their clientele and they do have rules, the breaking of which can get the dog kicked out. So it is possible that this business can be a good neighbor. That being said, from what I read here, I do think there should have been more notification and communication between proprietor and neighbors.

I want to voice my support for Mr. Anderson too. With 7 foot fences, and more than 100' from the nearest house, barking and smells will not be an issue. I have heard nothing but great reviews of his training, and plan to use him myself soon. Looking at pictures of his dogs on his facebook page show no signs of barking at all. Give the guy a chance, please! He did everything he was supposed to do with the zoning board and they approved him.

I'm with you BJ. I have read great things about Mr. Anderson as well and seen some of the videos on the facebook page, unbelievable. It's great to see Leslie wasted alot of her time trying to shoot him down when she has no idea what she's talking about. She mentions that he doesn't hold a "CBDT" certification for dog training. ACTUALLY there is no CBDT certification. She's unaware that an individual can simply take a 2 week online course and get a certification. Does this mean they have passed all requirements? NO. She also says that he hasnt "passed all requirements" by professional standards. I think you mean YOUR standards. How can u assume this when some trainers will come into the industry and get a certification from organizations they trained with, other trainers through whats called an "apprenticeship program" and from sport & obedience competitions so who are you to say that he hasn't passed any requirements by professional standards not knowing how he actually came into the industry or what certification he holds. Also, I did a little research and it DOES show that he is a member of the "International Association of Canine Professionals" at the top level and an individual must have a minimum of 5+ years of PROFESSIONAL experience, letters from vets and other professional trainers in the industry are also required. He also IS a member of the APDT when I just ran the search and he is associated with the American Kennel Club as a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.

Really training dogs to be agressive and protect or to be socialized does not belong in a residential neighborhood. Perhaps the zoning board was not fully a ware of this I wouldn't be surprised considering the business is not a typical doggie daycare as they tried to make people believe.

Give us all a break christine, the description of the video says "Preperation for PSA Training". PSA stands for protection sports association which is a sport, similar to French Ring, Shutzhund and other sports that dogs will compete in for titles. There's also obedience, agility, etc etc. Educate yourself. haha I know alot of good people in salem but your really giving the town a bad name. Your literally trying to take an inch of everything you see, attach it the business itself and say SEE SEE LOOK EVERYBODY, this is whats going on, this is what the business is all about. Clearly thats not the case. Educate yourself in the dog world and you will understand. Try to have a good day and stop wasting your time trying to make every little thing into something bad.

The video is back up I am told. No one in there right mind would want this behavior in their back yard with only a fence seperating there child and this dog!

I saw the video and I've worked with many different trainers in the past and many of them enjoy the sports that dogs can participate in. Chris I understand where your coming from with the location. I get that. But the "protection training video" isn't even on the facebook page nor have I read anything about him that he trains his clients dogs for protection. Dog trainers help dogs that have issues, that's what I see on the page. If this is something he does in his personal time (which is something that ALOT OF TRAINERS DO), hello?? he's a trainer.... Christine obviously works for the poparazzi and found the video on youtube of a trainer that enjoys training his personal dog to compete in the sport world and is trying to attach it to the business itself which is ignorant in my opinion.

It's been clear from day one that the city decided to do what they wanted on this issue and let the neighbors fight it themselves.We pay taxes to protect our rights as homeowners among other things. We have a legal department and in a case like this the neighbors would be paying the legal fees for both sides if they go to court.This should never happen to any taxpayer.

I'm surprised pinch and choke collars are left on the dogs when they're not being trained. There are many instances of dogs getting scared/injured due to getting tangled up; it seems like an accident waiting to happen.

In case anyone wants to see for themselves the dogs playing with training collars on, you may see examples on the FB page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Loyal-Canines/131308836958362.