Editor:

   It is October in South Portland and the city has done nothing again to rectify the dangerous dog problem in our town!  All summer dogs have been permitted to run, bark and pollute Willard Beach and Hinckley Park.

    Now that it is October, there is no time for children to play safely or people to walk peacefully on Willard Beach. Any time spent there requires constant vigilance against dogs that are permitted to run wild off leash and assault young and old alike. The same continues year round at Hinckley Park. 

    Citizens are being forced to become vigilantes and protect themselves. 

    Dog owners be advised, I will be on the beach and in the parks with small children and I will be equipped and prepared for any and all dogs that intrude on my space. Keep your dog away from my children. I have the right to protect my children and myself, and I have the right to walk on the beach and in the parks.  They are not “dog” areas as I have been told by many inconsiderate dog owners.  I do not care if you think your dog is “fine” or “won’t hurt anybody” as I am often told while trying to protect my children and myself.  Keep your dog to yourself!  I will no longer placidly tolerate being charged at, barked at, and growled at, sniffed, drooled on, and jumped on or any other canine misbehavior. I will defend. My children should not have to grow up frightened of dogs due to the negligent lawmakers and enforcers in this city and careless dog owners. 

    I understand the mayor himself was attacked with his leashed dog by multiple pit bulls in Hinckley Park!  He has my sympathy as I know how it feels.  What is it going to take before this city takes action?!  After the many years elapsed that the police department and the town have received innumerable complaints I suppose it will take a severe dog bite incident. The question is who will be sacrificed to institute change? A child? An elderly person?  Perhaps a bride in her wedding dress on Willard Beach?

    The inaction on this topic is inexcusable.  Dogs should be banned from Willard Beach and all city parks immediately for the sole reason of safety!  Dogs should be kept on leash at all times within the city limits with steep graduated fines enforcing the law. Safety should be the number ONE concern of the city, not a side line issue. 

Roxanna Kennedy

South Portland