The Old West

A few weeks ago a very unfortunate incident was brought to the public's attention via news coverage and billboards. A family lost their beloved pet dog, a "cherished member of their family". He was shot to death.

This family moved to Montana, "The Last Best Place", and bought property on The Bozeman Pass. There they let their dogs run free because they are not in the city limits. But they are also not alone. They have neighbors, and one neighbor has three small children.

Mom came out of her house one day and found the dog bristled and growling at her children. She tried to get the dog to back down, but he wouldn't. She shot him. She also took the time to gather the dog up in a bag and take him home to the owners to explain what happened.

The owners are upset. They bought two large billboards and posted the dog's pictures with the caption "Marbles did not deserve to die." Mr. Owner said it was senseless and there were other options.

One option I see would be to keep your dog contained on your own property.

Today the letters to the editor got me riled. One person who recently moved here from the East wrote that we are rednecks here with our "got my shotgun in my shed" mentality. Why, back East where they come from if your dog is loose the kind neighbors will return it or even keep it in the house until you can come and get it. This same person then spouted off about how people walk their dogs downtown without leashes and why don't we enforce the leash law. WTF? Feel free to move back home, buddy.

I love my dog. I am a responsible pet owner. I love him enough to keep him home, because other people might not love him so much on their property. And even though he's good around me, you never know how he might act if he was running wild.

I hope I am never put in the position of coming between what I deem to be a dangerous dog and my child.

I would never allow my child to become a chew toy.