Editor,
I'd like to comment on the situation of the UNM student "losing" his puppy at the Duck Pond (Monday, April 4).
We have had several complaints from people regarding loose dogs on campus and around the Duck Pond.
While the campus police officer's attitude and approach may not have been the best, I must say I'm glad to learn they are taking stray (off-leash) dogs seriously.
There is a leash law in the city of Albuquerque, the County of Bernalillo and the State of New Mexico. In fact, State Law 77-1-9 says: "A) Any peace officer may impound any dog found running at large unaccompanied by and not under the control of the owner or handler and further, the peace officer shall destroy the dog if it is in the act of pursuing or wounding livestock or poultry or attacking humans. B) Any peace officer may kill any dog in the act of pursuing or wounding livestock or poultry or attacking humans whether or not the dog wears a rabies tag required by Sec. 77-1-3 NMSA 1978. There shall be no liability of the peace officer in damages or otherwise for such killing."
Dogs on leashes are safer by not being able to run into traffic or run off "unnoticed" and get lost. All dogs on campus should be on a leash and in control of their handlers for their own safety and the safety of humans and other animals. Campus police should be enforcing this.
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Barbara Tellier
Alliance Against Animal Abuse, Inc. president
