To the Editor: Dogs running loose has long been a problem in our area and it is amazing how complacent people are about it. On Mon. Nov. 7th, four members of my family, on their way to bus stops, were accosted by dogs at Skinker and Kingsbury. This began at 7:00 a.m. A Cardinal Glennon nurse, who was visiting a sick person on the street, was chased by dogs at 10 a.m. and numerous people walking along Skinker were confronted by these dogs. After several frustrating hours of phoning police and the rabies control office, the dog catchers finally came out. When they did, they did a great job and caught three bad dogs, identified as offenders to pedestrians.
Of special concern to me was the fact that a large number of school children are travelling the streets three and four times a day. Apparently the police won’t come out until someone is bitten and it was a real hassle to get the dog catchers out initially.
Unfortunately, one young woman was very upset because her dog was picked up when it accidentally got loose. It seems that the best cared for pets. who are not streetwise, do ocassionally get out and get picked up. This does seem unfair, but it is the law.
The real shame of the dog situation in this area is the enormous number of “socalled” pets who are allowed by their owners to run free. This is clearly against the law. The feces disease problem on the lawns and leaves that our children play on is worthy of an in depth health article.
If people really love their pets, they should confine them to their homes, yard and leash supervision.
If people have concern for other people, they will consider these problems.
We have a very real safety and health factor in our urban neighborhood and we should be concerned about the quality of our lives. Residents must decide which is more important, people or pets? Where does the responsibility lie? And then, what will they do about it?
Joan T. Bender
Originally published in The Paper, December 1977.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: The printed “ocassionally” is retained.
Original source: SD_Times1977_12.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
