When enjoying the bosque, dogs need to be leashed

OVER (A RECENT) WEEKEND my three daughters, my husband and I all went for a walk in the bosque. While we were walking our 6-year-old was running a little ahead of us but we could still see her. Within seconds I could hear someone screaming calling a name, my daughter looked at us and she ran toward us like I have never seen her run before. She was being chased by a large pitbull who was not on a leash.

My husband ran to stop the dog and I picked up my daughter in my arms and held her. The owner of the dog ran around the corner and demanded the dog sit down while he put a leash on him. If my daughter didn’t react as fast as she did she would have been badly mauled. After 10 minutes of that episode ending we were enjoying the water catching our breath on an island and once again, here comes three more huge dogs with no leash jumping in the water. One looked at us and started running toward us with all the power and energy he had. He was looking at us like he wanted to play but he was way too big and powerful. He scared all us girls. My husband held a long stick and was going to strike the dog if he came near us but the owner called and the dog turned around.

Please, people, we all love the bosque! All animals love the bosque, too, but we shouldn’t have to fear letting our kids ... being chased and almost attacked by a dog... Please I am begging all dog owners Please, please, please keep your dogs on a leash if you are walking the bosque. Thank you!

CHERYL L. FRANCISCO Albuquerque