To the Editor,

I love dogs, as anyone who knows me will attest and I walk both of mine on leash almost daily.  

However, during the summer, we’ve encountered other dogs who are not on leash.  Three times in the past month, dogs have run over to mine—perhaps to greet them, perhaps to fight (I don’t know what they’re thinking.)  Each of these times, I’ve shouted at the owners to call the dog and either gotten a dumb look or a nasty comment.  Meanwhile, my big dog is startled, growls and wants to move forward.  He’s big and strong.  He’s on a pinch collar and under control.  But the other dog isn’t.

Earlier this month (August) we were on the city sidewalk when a small dog came running from his property, crossed the sidewalk and “greeted” my guys.  I shouted to the owner as soon as I saw it. No response although he was standing only a few feet away.  Suddenly, second, very large dog appeared, also running. My dog lunged.

In the confusion I went down on my knee and elbow with a thump.  I couldn’t get up, was dizzy and upset in every meaning of that word.  Oh yes, the man and his wife asked if I was o.k. and when I was unable to get up, they helped me, got me to a place where I could sit down and brought me a drink of water.  When I was still unable to walk, the finally offered to take me home.

The next day I was in the E.R. for x-rays on my knee and I’ve spent the last three weeks in a great deal of pain, missed an important weekend, and been unable to do much of anything.  In addition, I’ve had to hire a dog walker.

All this could have been prevented if the man had called his dog(s)!  They were NOT “under control”!

Question:  Should I let go of the leash and “let the chips fall where they may” when another loose dog approaches?

Question:  When I’m on public property, being a responsible owner, what protection do I have against irresponsible owners?

Question:  How many people have to be injured before the city passes a leash ordinance?
And last, but not least,  How can we enforce the pooper-scooper law?  I’ve seen people wait for their dogs to complete their business, then walk away.  Isn’t it about time that “responsible owners” should be responsible?  After all, you wouldn’t let your three year old poop in the city park and walk away, would you?

Lois Lane
Tecumseh