Arlington Hts. acts like it’s anti-dog

Today’s letter concerns the reputation Arlington Heights is getting as “the most unfriendly city for dog owners.” People have moved from here. People do not want to live here. Businesses have left here. This is because we are unfriendly to dog lovers.

In Arlington Heights, a dog can walk on the sidewalk. That is it! If you are a dog, you cannot run free. There is no park to play at. There is no area to walk with a nice lake or a tree to chase squirrels. There is nowhere for a dog to exercise, run free and play. Dogs are social animals.

Today I had an Animal Welfare Officer stop the van and come over to where my dog and two of his dog friends were playing and running to catch tennis balls. We were on the outskirts of Frontier Park and were told that she could write us a ticket and we were not allowed to be there. A ticket because my dog is dying to play? Really?

Why do other cities all have dog parks? Buffalo Grove has a dog park by the power lines where nothing can be built. We have the same area over by Rand Road and Greenwood Avenue across from The Crave restaurant. Dogs could play there and not bother anyone. Residents would be willing to pay a permit fee.

Just about every other house has as least one dog in it if not more and frustrated residents who complain that their companions can go nowhere with them. How many people of Arlington Heights would LOVE to take their best friend on a walk around a beautiful lake such as Lake Arlington?

For some people, especially people who live alone or seniors, their dog is their life, their only companion.

I am not the only one who feels this way, but everyone thinks it is futile to write to the board because they feel Arlington Heights is unwilling to change and address this issue.

Don’t push it to the bottom of your list. It is a big issue and upsetting to many residents.

Susan Krutzler

Arlington Heights