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Keep dogs safe, on the leash

Re: Toy poodle attacked after walk in park story, Jan. 9

First, my condolences to Judy Maday for a terrible loss. I really can't imagine watching my dog being mauled. There should be no guilt on her part. The guilt should be with Karen Wilder (if that is her real name).

Irresponsible dog owners like her create many of the tragedies that we read about. Allowing her dogs to run off a leash because she thinks they are under "voice command" is pure stupidity. Dogs are pack animals and will normally follow the leader. If one runs off, the others will follow. Obviously, the voice command did not work in this situation or Judy Maday would still have her canine buddy.

Toby the poodle endured a mauling that ultimately led to his death. Let this be a wakeup call to those who feel they are above following a simple rule. Readers, leash your pets, or if they are properly socialized, take them to an off-leash dog park where they can run and play with other dogs.

By doing this, you will ensure their safety and the safety of others. No one should have to fear for themselves or their pet while walking in a passive park.

I walk three dogs (sometimes four) on leash in Craig Park here in Tarpon Springs. Sometimes it is hard. I get tangled up and they all want to go different ways, stop, start, smell, etc. But I endure it because it keeps them safe.

I'm sure you can imagine what happens when an off leash dog approaches us. There have been times when I was sure a tragedy was about to happen. So far, I have been, well, lucky.

While my dogs have gotten loose on occasion, I can assure you that my heart doesn't stop racing until they are secured. I'm sure anyone who truly loves their pets feels the same way. Keep your pets safe. That is just common sense.

Nancy Dively, Tarpon Springs

Had enough of pets getting hurt

First, my heartfelt sympathy to Judy Maday of Dunedin on the loss of her dog.

I am so tired of opening the paper and seeing a dog getting hurt because some other dog owner who just doesn't get it. Dogs need to be on a leash. Just do the right thing by everyone. I hope this lady with her four dogs owns up to what has happened and does the right thing.

If you need some help going door to door to find her, I'll be happy to help.

I am saddened by the loss of this sweet 14-year-old poodle.

Sharon Crandall, Palm Harbor

Owner must be held accountable

I could not believe that four dogs can attack another dog, which then had to be put to death, and a criminal investigation is not under way.

The article stated that it is unknown if the dogs are dangerous. What does a dog (or dogs) have to do to be considered dangerous? Today they attack a small dog, tomorrow a small child.

This woman with the four dogs has to be found. She is the dangerous one and must be held accountable for what her dogs do. To let four large dogs run loose in a public park is a total lack of responsibility on her part.

She was warned by a park official and blatantly ignored the warning. She indicated that they needed no leash because she had them under voice control. Did she lose her voice that day?

R. Metivier, Palm Harbor

Dunedin should have a leash law

I am amazed that Dunedin does not have a leash law. We are not out in the country where homes are separated by miles.

All Pinellas County parks have leash requirements. Honeymoon Island State Park requires dogs to be on leash. Pets on a leash are much more controllable than when they are off leash and hopefully controlled by voice command. Few dog owners can control their dogs merely by voice, and fewer dogs obey voice commands 100 percent of the time.

Dogs off leash often run after a squirrel or rabbit because of instinct, regardless of voice command. Unfortunately, some of those dogs are injured or killed because they run in front of a car.

I care far too much for my toy poodle to let him off the leash. Furthermore, if my dog is on the leash he is close enough to me to grab into my arms and protect him should a stray dog attack.

William Sessions, Dunedin

Stop selling out to the big condos

My husband and I have stayed at a small beach hotel on Indian Rocks Beach for many years. We choose it because of its small size, quaintness, beauty and, of course, its proximity to the beach and local restaurants.

We have been dismayed to see not only other small hotels but also longtime restaurants close and sell out to large condo projects.

I know for a fact that local tourists help the beach economy, especially during the slower summer months, and the appeal of the smaller, nicely kept hotels and long established restaurants are a big part of the draw.

I urge Pinellas County to work with these hotels and business establishments to control the taxes on their property, not only to benefit them, but also so they can continue to provide us with another alternative to the high-rise condo vacation.

Gail Hurn, Clearwater

Provision could help small motels

I am writing in response to several articles concerning the "mom and pop" beach motel owners.

It seems to me that we have had in the past a property tax regulation that might be applied to this situation.

As a native Pinellas County resident, I lived here when most of the county was farms, cattle and citrus groves. When development started to remove that open land, it was decided to slow down the process by the use of a green belt law provision.

That provision in the property tax code stated that as long as you kept the land in agriculture, it would not be taxed at the highest rate that could be developed on the property. That way, even though the land was eventually developed, we kept agricultural open land longer without forcing it to be classified at the "highest and best use." I know my father kept the land where the Top of the World complex is now, which he leased for his cows and citrus, in the green belt designation for many years before it was developed.

That being said, if we all agree that "mom and pops" are important to our community and we want to encourage their longevity, then maybe granting them some kind of tax reduction based on the "green belt" philosophy might be appropriate.

Susan Rollins Gehring, Dunedin

Your voice counts

You may submit a letter to the editor for possible publication through our Web site at www.tampabay.com/letters, or by faxing it to (727) 445-4119, or by mailing it to Letters, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. You must include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.

[Last modified January 11, 2007, 07:22:08]