Editor:

Have we completely gone nuts?

A few articles I have read in the local papers recently are very disturbing.  Property owners at Willard Beach area have been having many problems with dogs going from the beach onto their private property and defecating on their lawns and also defecating on the beach.  Then I read about a little girl and her dog being attacked by two pit bulls in Scarborough and ultimately killing the little dog in front of the girl.  

I have owned dogs for almost my whole life.  It stays in a fenced in yard and when out of the yard it is on a leash.  I would not dream of taking it to the beach in warmer weather where it could poop and pee in the sand just before people are coming down to play.  That is just disgusting!  

Our city council has been hearing about this for years and to this date as far as I can tell little has been done.  The city’s answer is to supply plastic bags for those so incline to use them.  I have no problem with dogs being allowed on the beach in the off season (Sept. 15 to April 15)  I pay a lot of taxes in South Portland and would like to take my grandchild down to the beach to play but not when it is a cesspool.  

My rights as a taxpayer should trump those of a dog. I believe it’s time for our city council to take action on this issue and stop worrying about getting reelected and do the right thing. Does the city council have to wait until a child is mauled or even worse at the beach before they truly address this issue?   

Before all the dog owners get mad at me, remember you purchased the dog and you are the responsible party.   Petition the city to open a dog park like Portland, we have a lot of space on Highland Avenue that is city owned. I would support it too, as my dog would benefit from it as well.   

Dogs need their exercise it is up to us to do it in a responsible manner. Please remember there are many people out there that are afraid of dogs. What about their rights to be able to take a morning walk on the beach on a nice summer day?

Gary Crosby

South Portland