To the editor:

My husband and I recently retired and moved to Lawrence. We love it here except for this. Although there are city ordinances requiring residents to keep their pets restrained (fenced/leashed) and requiring residents to “pick up” after their pets, many people don’t.

Walking our dog was always one of our favorite parts of the day. Now, here, we almost dread going out. We never know when a loose dog or cat will come running at us out of nowhere. (I was bitten once by one of these pets that owners always insist “don’t bite.”) And, as a pet owner who has always cleaned up after my dog, I find the “little piles” everywhere an eyesore. I would guess that my neighbors who don’t own pets are even more offended by this, especially when “the piles” are in their yard.

Why don’t people abide by the city ordinances? Even more to the point, how can people be so inconsiderate of their neighbors? Also don’t they realize that keeping their pet restrained is safer for their pet? If you own a pet, please abide by the city ordinances and be a good pet owner and a good neighbor.

Linda Surritte,

Lawrence