To the editor:

Yesterday after my (leashed) dog and I had an unfortunate encounter with (yet another) unleashed dog on the levee trail, I had a long chat with a City of Lawrence employee. I found out that by city ordinance, dogs must be leashed over the entire 10.1 mile stretch of the city’s trail. While I noted that several of the adjacent homeowners allowed their dogs to menacingly roam on the trail and unleashed dogs on the off-road parts near Mud Creek were especially troublesome, he added that there had been problems with homeless encampments adjacent to the trail as well.

Over the entire length of the trail, there is currently only one easily readable sign demanding “Animals Must be on Leash” (at mile 0). While many of us would love to see it posted every 100 yards, it should at least be posted clearly at every entrance. Because there are some other law enforcement issues going on beyond just dog attacks, I would ask Chief Burns to encourage his officers to regularly ride on bikes or run the length to maintain order and physical fitness. As a taxpayer, I would say that’s a great use of my money. The LJW could help as well: craft an article, perhaps with a good map, clearly showing just how far the levee trail goes and where dogs are and are not allowed to be off leash. I think that if we come together, we can make our levee trail safe and enjoyable for all.