To the Editor:

In April, a friend in Norwood headed out with her dog on-leash. They’d gone 20 feet when a neighbor’s dog barreled down the street and viciously attacked my friend’s dog. Thanks to the quick arrival of three men, my friend’s dog survived, with many stitches.

She reported the attack, not only for their safety; but also for others. Animal control investigated. It was the attacking dog’s first reported incident. The judge placed restrictions, such as a muzzle.

In August, my friend heard a commotion, looked out a window, and saw the end of another attempted attack by the same dog. A group of people wrestled the attacking dog to the ground to re-secure its muzzle. Later it came to light there had been at least one other attack by the same dog earlier in August. That time it succeeded in ripping the face of the other dog so badly, the vet had to wire the victim’s jaw. The two attacks in August were not initially reported. Why not?

Dog-lovers can be consumed by caring for their injured dog; they can be traumatized too. Some people don’t know who to call. There might be discomfort reporting a neighbor’s dog.

Until the August attacks were belatedly added to its rap sheet, the attacking dog on my friend’s street appeared to have only one incident. Imagine what could have happened without reporting.

We have dedicated animal control officers, and they are the professionals to call. They take information from vets and emergency rooms; involve the police and court as needed.

But first, you have to report incidents to them. I spoke with animal control cfficer Becki Barlow and she told me they take calls 24/7 if a person or a dog is attacked by another dog; if a dog is missing, neglected, or left in a hot car. They deal with dogs, cats and farm animals.

The current animal control officers for Norwood, Potsdam, St. Regis Falls, Brasher Falls, Colton and South Colton are: Becki Barlow 323-1619 and Jim McConkey 323-4550

If you are in a different area to those listed above, call the Potsdam Animal Shelter (265-3199 to find the right person for your area.

If you have difficulties reaching animal control, the Sherriff at 379-2222 can direct you to your local animal control officer. These are good numbers to have handy.

Wendy Turnbull

Potsdam