To the editor:

With the topic of leashed, or unleashed dogs, we dog owners are under the microscope of public scrutiny.

With the number of registered dogs having reached 6,000 we are not a small population measured against our total population of

24,000 residents. We pay our taxes and have the right to a voice just as much as any other category of special interest folks.

Whether you speak your voice publicly, or speak through your actions, how you conduct yourself as a dog owner will speak volumes to anyone who may oppose a proposal for off-leash hours within our parks, or delineating more of a dog park within our parks other than the mud pit our dogs have been offered.

If you let your dog(s) run amok you are demonstrating disrespect for others, whether they are dog owners, or not. If you are not picking up your dog’s poop you are demonstrating disrespect for everyone who walks in our parks.

Responsibility to our pet’s behavior in public is part and parcel to dog ownership, so please, as you are out and about with your dog(s), act with consideration to other pets and their owners, wildlife and those that have come to enjoy the beauty of our island parks unencumbered with the responsibility of a dog.

I happen to own three dogs. I run them off-leash, but often put them back on their leashes as we approach other people, and dogs. I always have several poop bags in hand, empty, or not.

To date, because of these choices my dogs are happy, healthy and well-behaved. Good owner — great dog(s).

DANA ROSENBAUM

Bainbridge Island