With world politics, the Iraq war, affordable-housing issues and election season coming up, I was very surprised to find an editorial on the dog leash law in last Thursdays paper. I'd planned and had written a steamy letter on our trickle-down politics from the Bush administration to our local government.

The dog leash law, hmmmm, gave me cause for new thought.

Many may be consumed with the fear, after publicity on pit bull or vicious dog attacks, or perhaps about the woman who had the face transplant after her dog mauled her.

In the big picture of crimes committed here in Thousand Oaks, from murder, assaults, bank robberies, to gang and graffiti problems, this issue seemed minor. I was curious to find out what prompted this editorial as I was simultaneously doing a study of my own on the subject due to a personal confrontation regarding the leash law.

Come to find out, parks' personnel thought it might be a good topic because with spring approaching, more people will be hitting the trails.

Even though we have a very low record of actual injuries or confrontations with vicious dogs, it's good to remind everyone that Fido is not trusted to keep his nose clean--he could end up with a snake attached to it or goosing an apprehensive stranger who doesn't feel safe in his presence.

Good food for thought.

My own unofficial study, using the public's right to access records, was to find out how many incidents were reported in the Waverly Community Park, where the dog park is located. Since the dog park is so heavily used, as well as the open space surrounding the dog park called the equestrian park, where so many people walk their dogs in a freer environment, the study would be telling as to where the most problems were.

The majority of problems documented from complaints were in the dog park itself. The incidents ranged from aggressive dogs injuring other dogs to children running with dogs, which isn't allowed. There was only one letter of complaint outside the dog park in the surrounding park area, which was grossly fabricated.

Dog parks are not the answer for everyone. Every veterinarian I've talked to is strictly against them. Your children have to be kept at arm's length at all times while in the dog park; your dog may not be on a leash; and there is no running, which rules out your ability to exercise.

Dog parks are a great financial and liability issue and the constant maintenance and drain on park personnel strains the budget for other needed amenities.

I hope those using this amenity respect and appreciate it because I believe more of us are doing without because of it. Marilee Ullmann Thousand Oaks