Loose dogs pose a danger

There is a significant problem in Spokane with people letting their dogs run loose. At least 95 percent of the time I go out jogging, I am either chased, followed or attacked by a loose dog. Running with my dog only worsens theses situations – though let me add that my dog is always leashed.

I’ve spoken with fellow runners and discovered this is not a problem isolated to myself or my side of town. This is a Spokane issue.

So, to owners out there who don’t feel you need to leash or fence your dogs because a) you think your dog is friendly b) you think your dog is too small to do harm or c) you just don’t care – I am going to start running with pepper spray. If I feel that myself or my children are at all threatened by an approaching dog I will not hesitate to use it.

Start being responsible pet owners. If you can’t live up to the responsibility, then find someone who can, because having to pay for my medical or vet bills is going to be a lot more inconvenient than finding a way to confine your dog to your yard.

Julie Fischer

Spokane