Hey...Curb Your Dogs!

I released a cat caught cottontail Saturday evening, after weeks of nurturing it back to health from its sustained injuries. It is always a bittersweet moment for me, happy to know that they are healthy enough to go, and worried because I can no longer offer them security and protection.

I arrived at my “secret” release site, and a few minutes later, a woman in an SUV pulled into the parking area, opened her car door and released two large dogs without leashes. One dog defecated in the grass along the walkway of the school soccer field. The other dog ran amuck while she locked the car. She did not pick up after her dog, leaving a mess behind for some unsuspecting soul to find.

The dogs ran across the field with reckless abandon and the irresponsible owner trailed behind. Her dogs noticed a couple sitting on a bench with their dog, and the dynamic duo ran over and accosted them. At this point, the owner made an attempt to control her two misbehaving animals, offered a half-hearted apology to the people, and then she and her two dogs disappeared down a trail.

All the while, I could hear her whistling and calling her pets as they apparently got off track throughout their walk.

A half an hour later she appeared once again with the dogs. In a flash both dogs raced toward the rabbit cage across the field, I saw them coming and called out to her. From her vantage point, she did not even have eyes on her dogs – very irresponsible indeed!

As she crossed the field with her hand on their collars…a problem when you are out and about without leashes, she did not utter so much as an apology.

 I love dogs, but I do not appreciate inconsiderate owners!

The rabbit although traumatized due to a dog owner's bad behavior, got its happy ending. I was finally able to coax it out of its cage and it ran into the brush. I am sure it will acclimate itself to its new surroundings and will be very wary of people, cats AND dogs…a very good lesson learned.

My message to dog owners – please be considerate of other people and animals. Keep your dog on a leash in public places, eliminating unsolicited enthusiasm – and please clean up after your dog so others can appreciate the outdoors without stepping in fecal matter.