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Dog owners are the problem

Editor, Index-Tribune:

    

  I sent the following letter to the Sonoma City Council.

  When the city council first considered prohibiting dogs and horses in the Plaza, it was at the request of parents. The parents brought their children to use the swings and slides and the children would step into dog feces. Dog owners would not clean up after their dogs. It is the same with dog owners who walk their dogs along the street, and when the dogs do their business, the dog owners walk away. We have rocks between our sidewalk and the curb and the dogs play with the rocks and they land up on the sidewalk. The dog owners just leave the rocks there. If someone should come along and trip over the rocks, the property owner is at fault.

  Other cities had provided doggy bags along bike paths to help the dog owners to clean up after their dogs. But the dog owners didn’t even bother to use these bags, and the other cities just gave up.

  Dog owners are still bringing their dogs to the farmers market on Tuesday evenings. Evidently they can’t read the signs at the entrance to the Plaza.

  There is a dog park. Some owners may think it is too small for dogs, but it is better than nothing. When you consider amending the current ordinance you are going to have to make a choice between dogs or children.

  My husband had dogs for 63 years and the last one died in his arms at 2 a.m. When he talks about this dog, he tears up. So this letter is not about dogs, but about the dog owners.

  Eleanor Berto

  Sonoma