A Dog Walker’s Lament

To the Editor:

I have been a Newtown resident since 1997, and have been walking my dogs at Fairfield Hills since then. It’s a wonderful place to have for the dogs, and I’m afraid that we may lose it. Many dog owners aren’t picking up after their dogs, and many dog owners are letting their dogs off leash; it’s nice to be able to let dogs run, but is potentially dangerous for many reasons, from dogs getting lost to dogs or even people getting hurt. Newtown does have a leash law, and it’s in everyone’s best interest to follow that law.

It has come to my attention that all of us who walk dogs at Fairfield Hills may lose that privilege. Friends of mine who walk and train dogs there were told at the office on the grounds that if the situation doesn’t change, dogs may be banned from Fairfield Hills. There are problems with dog messes being left on playing fields and on the trails, and people who use the area have been complaining. The state police do some training on the grounds, and they have also run into problems with loose dogs. Newtown has a reputation as a dog-friendly place to live; please let’s not cause that to change! Please everyone, pick up after your dogs and keep them on leash where they belong!

Stacey Greenberg

2 Fir Tree Lane, Sandy Hook                                             June 8, 2009