Editor:

  This letter is in response to one published in the Oct. 24 issue of The Sentry.  The letter was written by a resident of South Portland and was published under the headline “I will protect my children from dogs on the beach.”  This caption might sound extreme, but given the content of the letter and the obvious rage this woman feels toward all dogs and dog owners……even responsible owners and dogs that mind their own space and don’t bother anyone nearby (unless of course by their mere presence)…..well perhaps the editors picked the right “tone” for the headline.  But I just wish the headline and content of the letter actually provided facts which warranted the kind of harsh and extreme “ban all dogs from all parks now” response that the letter demands. 

As a dog owner who makes every effort to be responsible in cleaning up after my dog and preventing my dog from bothering anyone else at all times, I’d like a chance to respond.  Because whether people like this writer realize it or not, or would even notice it or not, there are many of us responsible and peace-loving dog owners out there who are simply trying to find some kind of middle ground on this issue.  Even when we are dealing with people who will seemingly accept no middle ground at all.  There will always be those people out there who want to keep the world “safe” from anything they are so clearly intolerant of, without any thought to what rights they might be taking away from someone else.  But I would like to appeal to those who are willing to consider some kind of compromise, where we all make at least some effort to meet somewhere in the middle, rather than insisting that we polarize on one end or the other.  Please.

I live near Willard Beach and we walk our dogs frequently on the beach and we also visit Hinckley Park which the writer also mentions.  We have three dogs who are sometimes allowed off-leash if they respect our voice commands about where they are allowed to be, and when they remember to “mind your manners” and keep to themselves around others unless invited; and they are restricted back to on-leash when they forget those rules.  It is possible to teach dogs these kinds of things, in the same way some parents teach their children similar “live and let live” concepts.  My dogs are not always perfect at it, in the same way I’m not perfect either, but they get it most of the time and do their best.  I’m not sure how I can expect more than that.

And it is because I am a regular visitor to both Hinckley Park and Willard beach (with and without dogs), that I take great exception and issue with the ugly picture painted by the writer’s words with such dramatic “portrayals” of the situation.  Her use of expressions like “…there is no time for children to play safely or people to walk peacefully…,” and “…dogs that are permitted to run wild off leash and assault young and old…”, and “…citizens are being forced to become vigilantes…” and finally “…my children shouldn’t have to grow up frightened of dogs…”.  Wow.  If one listens to only how the writer “portrays” the situation with such inflammatory language, then one might indeed get the impression this is a dire situation that must be addressed immediately by banning all dogs from all parks and beaches as she suggests. 

But here’s the problem.  Where are the facts?  Where is the list of specific issues and concerns with dates and times and places which back up such dramatic claims?  The only such fact I saw was a nebulous mention of the mayor and pit bulls in Hinckley Park, and I am not familiar with this incident.  

I am wise enough to remember not to believe every “sound bite” I hear, unless it comes from a reliable source and includes a few provable facts about who, what, when, where and why.  Because without those basic tenements of truth, then it is merely rumor.  And rumors are very dangerous things. 

The writer talks of being “vigilant” – and I agree that we should be vigilant – especially against letting our opinions or beliefs be swayed by rumors, portrayals, and opinions that are based on any one person’s extreme dislike and distrust of something or someone – including dogs.  And of course, I wouldn’t want someone to be swayed merely by my words alone either, which I’m sure will show my obvious love of dogs.  It’s unfortunate that whatever experiences this woman has had with dogs in her life have been so frightening or unpleasant that it resulted in this extreme anger toward all dogs.  And if her children are terrified of dogs – given the “dogs are bad and should be banned” world they so obviously live in, I would expect exactly that result.  So I don’t agree that her children’s fear of dogs is only a result of “negligent lawmakers” and “careless dog owners” — I think their fear of dogs is most definitely also learned at home, the place where so many childhood fears and intolerances are often instilled in us in the first place. 

   Yes it is true there are some careless dog owners out there, in the same way there are some careless parents.  But we must all live in one world together and share the resources we have in that world.  And in order to do that in a way that protects everyone’s rights, we must all be willing to “give a little” and compromise.  Because if we don’t, then someone’s rights will always be trampled over. 

And when I visit Willard Beach and Hinckley Park, the picture she paints is simply not what I see; and I hope anyone who read her letter will visit these places themselves on multiple occasions and make up their own minds -— rather than simply becoming incensed by her words which clearly demonstrate the rage she feels about this issue.  And she is completely entitled to her feelings – but I would caution any listener out there to be careful about just believing her worlds (or mine either).  Find out the facts first.  See for yourself first.  Talk to people who disagree with her first. Talk to people who agree with her first.  And then, make up your mind. 

And as for the issue about dogs in the parks and beaches itself – well I truly believe a compromise is possible, and I would like to make some suggestions here.  And I commend our lawmakers on their efforts to find that compromise, despite the pressure they clearly receive from some in our community to “enforce” one extreme or the other.  Our local leaders have already tried to establish restricted times (at least for Willard Beach and many other local beaches), where dogs are allowed in summer only between 6 and 9 a.m. to leave the beach free for “no dog” times.  And in winter, when the beach is frankly most often largely deserted, dogs have been allowed anytime.  I can understand if this writer and other people who don’t enjoy having dogs around might prefer times when they can visit Hinckley Park or Willard Beach and not see dogs there at all.  And I support that right.  I ask only that our leaders not follow this writer’s suggestions and take away all our rights to walk with our dogs in public places where they can run off-leash and get the exercise that is so critical for a dog’s health and welfare (and mine also since walking them is when I get much of my exercise too). 

But so that we dog owners don’t prevent someone else’s rights to be “dog free” either, then I completely support established times for dog walking in all parks and beaches, even in the winter time.  That way people who don’t wish to have dogs around can visit the parks and beaches during “dog free” times, and those of us who need or want to exercise our dogs (and ourselves) or who do enjoy the company of dogs can do the same at other times.  Wouldn’t that provide for the rights of both?  I ask only that our lawmakers consider that, while 6 to 9 a.m. is mostly daylight hours in the summertime, it is mostly dark then in the wintertime (not to mention often very cold).  And in the wintertime, I would ask that our lawmakers consider adding additional hours then so that we can also enjoy part of the daylight and warmer parts of the day when we walk our dogs.

While I may not understand someone else’s dislike of my dog’s presence, I completely support their right to feel that way and their desire to enjoy public space and places in a dog-free zone.  I ask only that they show me the same consideration for my rights to sometimes have my dog with me to enjoy those same public spaces.  Many thanks for listening.

Carla Yount

South Portland