Dogs must remain on a leash

This is an open letter to what appears to be a growing number of dog owners who have decided the Wheat Land Communities’ Fairgrounds is a good place to let their dog, or in some cases dogs, run loose.

I walk and jog through the fairgrounds regularly.

Contrary to the apparent opinion of some dog owners, the Wheat Land Communities Fairgrounds is not an off-leash dog park. The fairgrounds are within the city limits of Ritzville. All city ordinances, including the leash law, apply at the fairgrounds. One can no more turn a dog loose on the fairgrounds than they can at the city park, or on the golf course.

Most dog owners I encounter assure me their dog is “friendly”. That’s wonderful.

However some of the people walking, jogging or pushing strollers along the Ritzville path are not interested in dealing with your friendly dog, nor should they have to be.

A little over eight years ago I was jogging through the fairgrounds, and a friendly dog chased me down. He didn’t attack me or bite mind you, because he was a friendly dog. But in his friendly way he chased after me and ran into the side of my knee, breaking my leg. Today I have a stainless steel plate and eight screws in my left leg, which serves as a constant reminder of the friendly dog. It’s a reminder I would rather not have.

Enjoy the fairgrounds and the Ritzville path with your dog, but please, keep your dog on a leash.

Rod Larse, Ritzville