Dogs: Show your love with a leash

Once again, I find it necessary to write about this subject, which angers me tremendously. It saddens me to know that there are so many people out there who say they love their dogs, yet, let them run loose, whether it be in their unfenced yards, their neighborhoods, or wherever they may be.

Please remember that Whidbey Island is NOT an off-leash dog park! There are plenty of those in the Northwest, but Fort Ebey State Park is not one. Neither is the beach, nor is Sierra Estates, Pondilla Estates, downtown Coupeville or Oak Harbor, nor any part of any other public area.

If you really love your dog, have it on a leash, unless it is in your fenced yard, or five- acre farm, or whatever, so long as it is fenced. Or take it to an off-leash dog park if it really needs a good workout.

It makes me so sad for those poor dogs who end up getting shot or run over by a car, or lost or disoriented and never get returned to their homes. And, it is not just the off-leash dogs that worry me. Two months ago I was walking our dog in the neighborhood and a stray dog appeared out of nowhere. After he approached our dog, then started running circles around me, our dog followed him around me and I became entangled in the leash and almost fell, not once, but twice. I used my pepper spray on the stray dog and he left. I will not hesitate to do it again.

A lot of people walk their dogs in our neighborhood (on leash), some of whom are not as strong as I am, or perhaps are a little older and it worries me to think that one of them could have this happen to them with a possible resultant fall and a broken hip or arm.

If you love 'em, leash 'em!

Besides, it’s the law!

Phyllis F. Miller

Coupeville

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