November 10, 2008
Monday AM

First I want to preface this with: I am a dog lover. I would love to have one of my own, but can't right now. I even house-sit occasionally for folks with dogs and leave loving their pet as if it were my own.

So to my point, as I was leaving Point Higgins Elementary School Wednesday night, in the dark and driving rain, I came across three black dogs within yards of each other, inches from my car, in the other lane of the road. I can truly say that it was by the grace of God I did not run one over because my odds were very good. One had a collar, the second did not, the third was on a run with its owner, who had enough sense to put a reflective vest on the animal, but all of these dogs were on the loose. Sadly to say, I know the sound and feel of the two bone crunching and gut wrenching bumps when running over a dog. After a day of being responsible for my students, I don't really need to go home knowing that I too was responsible for killing someone's pet. No thank you. So please, take care of your pet, they are your responsibility. They depend on you.

I could also mention the numerous times students are accidentally getting into dog business done on our playground, the screams of our little ones who are afraid of dogs that come to our campus looking for
fun, and the many rubber balls that are popped by these unsupervised animals, but that will have to be another time. I guess the Leash Law that is in place doesn't apply to these animals.

Thank you for your consideration,

Carrie Allen
Ketchikan, AK

Received November 06, 2008 - Published November 10, 2008

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