I’m living in hell

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I read in The Gleaner dated November 28, 2022, where Minister Delroy Chuck has asked the public to use restorative justice to solve problems without reverting to violence and not to clog up the court system. I must state I have no intention of acting in any criminality. But, Mr Minister, I have reached out to that department, and they have told me they cannot help me. I live in a “topanariss” area – a term my mother uses to describe upscale neighbourhoods. My bedroom window runs alongside my neighbour’s carport and for the last six months, I have been talking with my neighbours about a new dog they have and the disturbance that I’m experiencing.

In fact, we both have had dogs in the past and we have never had an issue, but this new dog is literally from HELL and barks constantly. I have many recordings on my phone that indicate the times the dog goes off. I have also reported them to the police and they have promised to speak with the neighbours, but I’m sure they won’t get around to doing so. God knows their hands are tied with crime. I have even reached out to the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to see whether they could provide some intervention in training the dog, but they too pointed me to the police.

I am now experiencing health issues due to lack of sleep, and taking sleep aid which doesn’t help, as I am awoken at odd hours Sunday to Sunday. I have no choice but to turn to the courts to seek an injunction to have the dog removed. With the current situation in the courts, I may not get a date until some time next year, but clearly, this cannot continue.

My neighbours are avid readers of The Gleaner newspaper and I’m hoping they will see this letter and “ Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” or “ Love thy neighbours as thy self” as they profess Christianity. They don’t speak with me anymore.

ELAINE ROSS WILLIAMS