Editorial: Safety threatened by leashless dogs

Published: Thursday, July 17, 2003

UNM is not a leashless dog park and shouldn't be treated as such.

Those willing to take a stroll around north campus are well advised to carry a large rock or stick on their journey. For what purpose? For the purpose of warding off dogs and ensuring their own safety against puncture wounds and rabies.

Despite the clearly posted signs indicating that all dogs on campus must be adhered to an effective tethering device, known more colloquially as a leash, more pedestrians than not still feel at liberty to liberate their dogs from the oppressive confines of a harness.

However, signs drawing attention to the strict leash policy are posted for a reason; dogs, as animals are primarily beasts of instinct. They act and react without reason, without first asking, "Am I being rational in biting this man's thigh?" Thus, when a dog sees a golf ball flying overhead, it isn't surprising that it should want to chase it. When a canine sees a runner trotting along the golf course, it's not uncommon for the dog to react with a degree of aggression.

An easy rebuttal to the accusation that loose dogs are a threat is proffered by many ignorant dog owners -"Spot wouldn't hurt a fly," or "Killer obeys incredibly well. If he starts to foam at the mouth, I make him heel." But whether or not a dog is Cujo or Benji is beside the point; people who enjoy exercising on any UNM campus should not have their feeling of safety infringed upon by a loose dog, as it's impossible to tell by mere appearances whether a dog has been trained to have a certain amount of restraint.

The bottom line is such: no one, in particular negligent dog owners, has the right to make others uncomfortable or fear for their well being, and unleashing a dog does just this.

If a sign indicates that a leash policy is in effect it's only common courtesy to adhere to it. Those who don't are selfishly and inconsiderately pursuing their own interests. They are also breaking campus law.

Unfortunately, UNMPD seems disinterested in addressing this situation, so it's the responsibility of those who feel uncomfortable around loose, unbridled, foamy canines to take the matter into their own hands by addressing the situation every time it arises.