I have had several alarming situations recently when walking my dogs near home and at local parks. Specifically, at the Amazon small dog park, there is a sign at the entry which clearly states only small dogs, under 25 pounds, are allowed. But not everyone is paying attention. I have encountered people who have entered with their large dogs. When I show them the signed weight limit, their response is that their dog is friendly, and then they become defensive.
Second, I have also encountered numerous dogs off leash at the Acorn Park. When these dogs approach me and my small dogs, I have to be protective, asking for the owners to leash their dogs. Typically, they respond by saying their dog is friendly, thus ignoring the leash law. Yes, their dogs may be friendly — until they are not — and then may attack and kill. I have had that experience.
Recently, a nearby neighbor lost her dog to an aggressive dog while she was simply walking her young dog. It was killed right in front of her. She and her family lost a special pet and are now traumatized. Our city should not tolerate this growing irresponsible behavior and careless attitude.
My message to the city of Eugene: Make more signs to enforce leash laws and enforce all park rules. To all dog owners: Leash and control your dog or you may lose ownership privileges. To run a big dog, take your dog to the big dog parks. But do not endanger others. Please be responsible.
Aviva Suchow
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
Comments are closed.