On Wednesday, Dec. 1, while running at the Lid Park, I rounded the east side of the soccer fields and came upon two unaccompanied, unleashed, Scottish Terrier-type dogs. They raced across the grass right toward me. They were barking aggressively and tried to nip at my ankles. I had to stop and face them and move backward to fend off their attack. After about half the length of the field, I came upon an older man who seemed to be their owner. All he said was, “No bite, no bite.” I ran off feeling lucky I wasn’t bitten, but regretted not scolding the owner.

About 15 minutes later I was surprised to run into the dogs again, unleashed, unaccompanied. I had to stop once again to defend myself and as the old man approached I said, “I shouldn’t have to put up with this. There is a leash law and your dogs need to be on a leash. Next time I will report you.” I decided to pick up a stick on the odd chance that I would run into them again. On my third lap I stopped well before the spot and called out to the old man, saying if they come near me I will use the stick. I told him, once again, that there is a leash law and his dogs need to be on a leash. He said his “dogs have a right to run.” I said yes, but in an enclosed area or his fenced yard, not at the Lid.

Someone needs to tell this person that his dogs don’t have the right to run free at the Lid or other public areas, especially if they are prone to terrorize people. There is a leash law and he needs to obey it. Next time his dogs might not be so lucky and run into someone bigger and stronger (and meaner) than little old me.

Renae Brooks