LETTER: Off-leash dogs pose serious danger to equestrians

Of course we each see things from our own perspective. Our eyes are, after all, in front of our brain. However, it would behoove you leash-less dog walkers to consider the effect of a barking dog on the heels of a horse.

On four occasions while riding in Dockton Park, we encountered four sets of unleashed dogs, bounding up to the horses, getting behind them, yapping and bouncing about while ignoring the commands of their Johnny Come Lately owners.

Upon their late arrival, we heard: “Oh don’t worry, these dogs are totally friendly,” or “don’t worry he was raised around horses.” We heard four different variations on a theme praising the beneficent temperament of their dogs.

The two horses we were riding are calm middle-aged horses, hence there were no mishaps. However, the day before, in our riding party, we had a 5-year-old thoroughbred, straight off the track, on his first trail ride. I am thankful we didn’t run into any unleashed dogs that day.

This is not to be taken lightly.

You leash-less dog walkers are at best, self-centered and cavalier, at worst, colluding with potential injury. Later in the ride we ran into two of them again and they still hadn’t leashed their dogs.

Leashing your dog is the law. It is posted at every entrance to the park, as well as the international sign indicating that everyone yield to horses.

If you don’t want to live in an equestrian community, go back to Seattle. They don’t have any horses there.

— Elizabeth Nye