After reading the story in the May 19 paper about the guide dog who was put to sleep after being attacked by another dog, I feel compelled to write. The problem of loose dogs is a widespread problem and is not limited to rottweilers.

My young pony was recently attacked by a dog while he was being trained to drive. Previously, this pony was completely confident and willing to do his job. Now he is afraid of almost everything.

The cart was damaged in the attack, and his training was set back at least a month. Between the damages to the cart and the lost training, I was set back several hundred dollars. And what happened to the dog? He still runs loose and has tried again to attack my pony.

What happens when a dog knocks a small child off a bike, or causes an elderly person to fall and break a hip?

I feel very strongly that the leash laws need to be tougher and owners should be liable for any damages caused.

Owning a dog is a big responsibility and everyone has the right to walk through their own neighborhood without threat of attack from a loose dog.

I stand behind Lynn Mason-Courtney in her quest to strengthen the leash laws, and hope that her sad story will open some eyes.

Heather Bonneau, South Paris