Pacifica: Off-Leash Dog Breaks Dogwalker's Leg

Letters to the Editor: August 6, 2008
Leash enforcement
Pacifica Tribune Staff


Editor:

As I sit here on my couch, nursing a compression fracture in my knee and a sprained ankle, I'm forced to ponder the lack of leash law enforcement in Pacifica. How did I get so racked up, you may ask? I was walking my own dog - on leash - on the beach at Linda Mar last week. An off-leash pit bull ran at us, fortunately to play with my dog and not kill her. The larger dog became aggressive and scared my dog who ran to take refuge behind me. The pit charged after my dog, running into my leg with an audible crunch that equaled a night in the ER when I was finally able to get off the beach.

Am I angry? You bet I am. I enjoy an active lifestyle afforded by our wonderful community - mountain biking, hiking, running, golf - which I won't be able to do now for up to 6 months. I can't even walk my own dog. And why? Because of people who didn't think the law applied to them. Because people see dogs roaming free on our beaches and trails and believe these are off-leash areas. Because of a law that's not enforced.

This isn't the first time that my dog has been terrorized by aggressive off-leash dogs - it was just a matter of time before one of us got seriously hurt. What do the people who live and pay taxes here have to do to convince the city to consistently enforce its laws? When I'm able to walk my dog again, I'll have no qualms about calling the county animal control to report off-leash aggressive dogs before they hurt someone else (business hours 650-340-7022/after hours 650-363-4953). Enough is enough.

Robin Stuart

Linda Mar