To the Editor:

I am writing this letter in the hope that everyone with off leash dogs out in the community reconsider this choice.

On April 16, my daughter, 8-month-old puppy and I were playing in the shallow water on the shore of the Raquette River in Lehman Park in Potsdam when two off leash dogs galloped up to us. It all happened so fast.

My daughter was at the end of the leash and got scraped up on the rocks. The more aggressive off leash dog grabbed our puppy's neck and took him down in the water. The owner of the dogs was bringing up the rear and managed to call them away from the scene. My daughter and puppy are ok physically, but the psychological trauma; well, we will see how that plays out.

I was ignorant of this danger, and now I am researching how to adequately protect ourselves should this happen again. From the conversation that the owner was having with the offending dog, it sounded as if this were the first time he had done such a thing.

He could not have attacked if he had been on a leash. I just beg that the owner of those dogs and anyone else who walks their dogs off leash reflect on the consequences of your dogs’ liberty versus the freedom for other people and their pets to have a safe, enjoyable outdoor experience in their community.

Tabitha Brown

Heuvelton