As a professional dog walker, I find myself understanding many of the different views expressed here. I walk clients’ dogs on a leash only.

However, I do take my own dogs off-leash to some of the designated areas. I have run into the issue of unruly dogs, or dogs behaving badly off-leash. This is a concern and should be addressed. It seems to me that everyone should have the right to enjoy these open spaces.

Restricting the time dogs are allowed has already happened and seems to be a good compromise. Banning dogs or limiting their time even more is unfair to the MANY folks who want to enjoy these open spaces.

However, for those folks without dogs who want to enjoy these areas during these times addressing the issue of unruly dog behavior is essential. Perhaps we could consider something similar to what Scarborough does with regards to horses on the beach. There is a permit required and a small fee ($10) for non-residents.

What strikes me as appropriate is with that permit a person must read the rules. The permit explains proper behavior and necessary cleanup of waste during use and any fines imposed. Perhaps something like this could help the unruly dog situation and a fine imposed to those whose dogs are disruptive.

There is no excuse for allowing one’s dog to jump on a person or get into the face of a child on the beach. I can easily name nearly a dozen canine obedience instructors in this area, so folks can learn how to keep their dogs under better control.

Dogs will be dogs, and I understand sometimes their behavior is uncontrollable. As with children there will be those times. That doesn’t mean that we cannot improve these situations. A dog who repeatedly jumps on a stranger or behaves badly towards other dogs or people should not be off leash at ANY area!

Before restricting the dogs further, let us first show that dog lovers can be responsible dog owners and listen to the complaints and make a better effort to keep our dogs behaving nicely!!! Please don’t rush into more restrictions without giving us a chance to make things better for everyone.

Dogs are a wonderful part of our lives and mean more to many of us than some could know. We are all part of this community so let’s show that we can all get along. I agree with those who say unruly dogs are a problem.

I have three small dogs who are often intimidated by unruly, disruptive dogs at off-leash areas. That said, I do believe that folks could make a better effort to keep their dog’s behavior under control. It is a simple, common courtesy and I know we dog lovers can do it!!

Dogs are remarkably trainable, incredibly intelligent (some new studies have been done showing dogs having better cognitive abilities than chimpanzees!!!) and with reward-based training offered by MANY obedience trainers in this area we can improve things and make life better for everyone!

Amy Carlson

Cape Elizabeth