Dog owners- Control your pets

To the editor:

I live and daily walk my dogs in the neighborhood near Perryville Road and Lexington Avenue. I have lived here a year and half and continue to be appalled by how many educated, professional adults fail to keep their pets under control.

Fully half the times I walk my leashed dogs in my neighborhood, someone's dog or dogs come running out into the street toward us. Your dog may be the most friendly, loving canine in town, and that's great, but you are failing your pet by putting him in harm's way. My dog happens to be extremely protective when on leash and will fight if another dog comes racing towards us. I'm worried about your pet as well as mine. It is your responsibility to keep your dog safe.

Eventually your dog, roaming free in your front yard, will race out into the road and be hit by a car, stolen or attacked by another animal or find himself lost. There is a very good reason it is against the law to not have control of your pet. For your sake, for your beloved pet's sake and for the sake of my dogs' simply taking their daily walk, please make sure you have control of your dog at all times whether inside your home, in a securely fenced in yard or on a leash or lead.

MARY STUART, Cape Girardeau