Dog owners need to follow rules of basic decency

On the evening of June 25th, while walking near our home, an unleashed pit bull attacked our defenseless dog. There was no provocation for the attack.

The owner was so afraid of his own animal that he couldn't get it to stop attacking our dog, who was on a leash and being totally nonaggressive. Despite laws that require all dogs to be on a leash, the young man nonchalantly said, "Don't have one, it broke" in response to my question about why the dog wasn't leashed.

My husband was also injured when he was knocked off his feet by the force on the leash as this dog viciously attacked ours. Not surprisingly, after this dog left ours frightened and badly injured, the young man and his friends took the dog and walked off. Our vet bill was over $400.

We are now nursing a badly injured dog back to health. She is afraid to go outside in her own neighborhood. Frankly, so are we.

Please follow village ordinances and keep your dogs leashed. Laws also require dogs to be licensed and vaccinated. Irresponsible dog ownership often leads to injuries to, or death, for not only other dogs, but people. There is obviously an emotional toll as well.

The Palatine Animal Control officer who responded to our call and the emergency vet and staff at Care Animal Hospital in Arlington Heights were amazing and wonderful in their handling of this situation. Thank you for doing what you do.

Michelle London

Palatine