To the Editor:
Recently, there have been two separate [reported] dog attacks in Wilton. Both have resulted in injury, and what makes it so much worse is the fact these incidents, like many others, could [likely] have been prevented with leashes. In fact, if you do a quick Google search for ‘dog attacks’, you will immediately be greeted with hundreds of different stories, all about unfortunate incidents that sometimes result in the death of the dogs or humans involved.
According to the Connecticut General Assembly (CGA) [CT Leash and Dog Bite Law] , dogs do not need to be leashed at all times; however, “a dog’s owner or keeper must not allow it to roam on another person’s land or on a public highway, including sidewalks, if it is not under his control” (Holsted, 2004, p. 1). Unfortunately, not all dog owners follow this rule, which can result in preventable injuries. Aggressive dogs can see other dogs and initiate a fight that harms both dogs, even if the other dog’s owner was a responsible owner and kept their dog leashed.
On [this past] Sunday and Saturday, two incidents occurred, both involving unleashed dogs that attacked others. The first incident was when [reportedly] two women were walking on a trail with their three (unleashed) dogs. A man and his (leashed) dog were the unfortunate victims of the dogs. The three dogs attacked the other dog, and while the man tried to save his dog from further injury, he also was bitten. If the three dogs had been leashed, the women could have easily kept them at a safe distance.
The other incident was when [reportedly] two [dogs] escaped their owner’s yard, eventually finding their way to the local elementary school, Miller-Driscoll. Unfortunately, a man, and his young kids, were at Miller-Driscoll’s playground. In an effort to keep his kids safe, he took the entirety of the dog attack, suffering such great injuries that he was [reportedly] hospitalized. The kids remained safe. Had the owners of the [dogs] kept them more secure, the unlucky man could have enjoyed his time with his kids without being mauled — which is something that should be the expectation at a playground. Despite the severity of the attack on the playground, it could have been much worse. Imagine if the [dogs] escaped one day later, and instead of a few people being there, it was during a first-grade recess break instead.
At the end of the day, it is obvious what people should do going further. They need to leash or fence their dogs. It affects those who are near you, as they risk being injured.
Thank you for taking time to consider my opinion and read my letter.
Adam McCabe
8th Grade Star Scout
BSA Troop 125