Who let the dogs out?

As the days get longer and the sun gets warmer — except for the recent snow — we all anticipate the arrival of spring. We long for the green grass, the blooming of flowers, the birds chirping and the fresh air.

We are excited to get out of the house. We can’t wait to go jogging, running, bicycling, skateboarding … the choices are endless.

The problem is, our pets want out also. They also have been cooped up all winter and want to run free and explore.

It is easy to just open the door and let them go. However, dogs (and cats) running loose in a neighborhood create a lot of problems for everybody, even the owner of the animal.

You could be held civilly liable for any damage your pet causes. You could receive a fine for failing to restrain your animal, your animal could be hit by a car and, if it survives, could cost you thousands of dollars in vet bills. The accident could cause property damage to the car, the driver and cause emotional suffering to the person who hits your animal. If your animal gets impounded at the local animal shelter, it will cost you money to get it out.

Being a responsible pet owner also means being a good neighbor. Owners often assume that everyone likes their animal and its OK because everyone in the neighborhood knows their animal is friendly. Some owners simply don’t care what happens to their pet, or think that it is cruel to keep them tied up. An animal running loose can travel far from home and become lost. Even if your closest neighbor is miles away, your loose animal can destroy your neighbors’ property, attack their livestock, get into garbage, defecate on their property, tear up landscapes and gardens, scare, chase and bite children and the list goes on. On the flipside, your animal may be attacked and even killed while far from home.

You might think that you have the nicest animal in the world and that it wouldn’t harm a fly, but the fact is, our animals are just that, animals with predatory instincts.

Not too long ago, it was normal for animals to roam free, especially in remote areas. There weren’t very many neighbors or cars on the road, like there are today. Times are changing and it is pet owners’ responsibility to keep their animals safe. A dog that “has never left the yard” could someday be tempted by another animal getting too close to its territory.

People think stray dogs are abandoned and will sometimes keep them for themselves, or give them away.

Your pet could be stolen by someone who thinks you are irresponsible or because they are malicious and greedy and don’t want to pay for an animal, especially purebred animals.

There are many hazards out in the world and it is the “adult” pet owners’ responsibility to insure their animals are not a nuisance and are kept safe. Please enjoy the summer and get out and exercise your pet. Take them for a walk on a leash, play ball in your yard, teach them agility, but overall be a good neighbor and be responsible.

Darla Erskine is an officer with Mat-Su Borough Animal Care and Regulation and a pet owner.