Letter: Dog walkers should respect personal space
Walkers are of two groups, dog walkers and dogless walkers. For this reason, it is necessary to clarify the expectations that a typical dogless walker has of a dog walker in a public setting.
The purpose of a leash is to keep a dog contained and in control. If your dog can get within reach of a person you pass, you have missed the point of a leash.
It is rude if your dog forces a person you pass to step off the sidewalk or walking trail (Badger Mountain), regardless if you moved over.
Never say to a dogless person “He’s friendly, he won’t hurt you, he won’t bite.” These comments are meaningless to a person who is dealing with your dog sniffing their body parts and licking their knee. Simply respect that person’s personal space and control your dog. Not being bitten is not a gift to offer a person dealing with your dog’s behavior or presence.
In my experience, Tri-Cities dog owners seem to be less inclined to be respectful of others than in other communities I have lived or visited. And as an avid walker, I have some experience in this area.
KeKe Dwyer, Kennewick
This story was originally published May 27, 2017 at 2:19 PM with the headline "Letter: Dog walkers should respect personal space."