Readers Write

Leashes and laws

Editor, The Eunice News:

I’m writing because I’d like to share something I experienced lately that I feel some residents of Eunice and surrounding areas may need to be reminded of.

Last week I was jogging in the late afternoon alone, as I very often do, and happened to be running in a nice neighborhood on West Gum street when out of nowhere two small barking dogs charged me – one in front of me and the other in the back.

The one in front of me was satisfied to persist in barking, while the one to my rear starting nipping at my heels and in a matter of seconds started taking a bite out of my left tennis shoe.

I began to run a little faster thinking that just maybe they might “give up” and return home and in doing so, I inadvertently tripped, and fell face forward on the street.

For the past week I have sported a skinned and bruised chin, mouth, nose and hands. Fortunately, my teeth were not broken, al though I had to endure a thousand questions like, “What happened to your face?”

I’ve told this story to make one simple point. I love dogs. My husband and I own two. They live in a fenced backyard and the only time they get out is when we take them for a run or walk on their leashes.

Fenced yards, leashes, and, most importantly the city’s leash law, are not only for large dogs, but are for small ones as well.

It might seem harmless to let little “Spot” out unrestrained to relieve himself in the front yard, but the best neighbor will keep his dog leashed or confined.

Doing so could save a walker, runner, or biker from serious injury, as well as protect the dogs. These laws were written for the protection of all.

Sarah M. Pulling

Eunice

Enforce dog laws

Editor, The Eunice News:

If free-roaming dogs within the corporate limits of Mamou should attack, bite, maim, wound, or perhaps even cause death to a child, senior citizen, or other, is it not conceivable that the Town, the Mayor and the Council could be sued collectively and individually for failing in their duties to enforce ordinance(s) that prohibit such things as free- roaming dogs?

If the answer is yes, why would the mayor and council fail so miserably in this endeavor? Dogs are running loose all over the place. They range from small to large. Some are mangy. Some are even crippled. Some have collars and some do not; but they are all aggravating “garbage raiders”!

I called the police to report free-roaming dogs in my neighborhood, but was told to call City Hall. I called City Hall and was directed to the City Barn, which I did on two occasions. Once I left message on the recorder, and the second time, I talked to a town employee who said he would deliver the message.

Days have turned into weeks and the dogs are still roaming and I have not passed an eye on an Animal Control Agent yet.

I also have it on good authority that a citizen recently asked the mayor to take action on this matter. The good citizen’s remedy of taking matters into his own hands was not warmly received and he was told that if he did take action to dispatch the dogs that he would be in big trouble.

Loose dogs are certainly a nuisance and making a mess. And however slight the percentage may be that someone could be maimed, bitten, wounded or killed by free- roaming canine(s), I am of the opinion that there is that possibility.

I encourage citizens that are aggravated with the situation to call City Hall and to attend the monthly town hall meetings.

If one citizen gets bitten, then every citizen in the township could be harmed by a lawsuit because the mayor failed in her duties.

Johnny Fuselier

Mamou