To the editor:

What does a safe community mean to you?

Is it a small town where you know everyone? Is it feeling comfortable enough to leave your vehicle unlocked and the keys in it? Is it leaving your house unlocked? Is it having sidewalks that you can safely walk on? Is it having good roads? Is it having a library you can go to? Is it having quality services within the community? Is it having local law enforcement? Is it having a park you can enjoy? Is it knowing your children or loved ones can safely be out in public and not be afraid of them crossing a busy highway, walking or running in the community for exercise and not being hurt while doing so? Or is it enjoying all the amenities of a city park and not being bitten by dogs?

For me it is all of these and more. Unfortunately, my father was recently attacked and bitten by two local dogs while on city property when he was on a daily walk. As a child we had a Beagle and I have had three Cocker Spaniel dogs in my adult life, all while living in the city limits. My brother has had a number of Labrador dogs over his adult life, even a couple when he lived in city limits. During the time my brother and I had dogs, my father would take them with him on his daily walk – what an amazing comfort for me knowing that my dad was getting exercise and loved our pets like family that he took them along.

Everyone in town knows Al Grigg, my father, and is aware he quietly goes about his walk but will talk to anyone he crosses paths with, whether that is another community resident or their pets. Most every community in the State of Iowa has a code or ordinance that requires you to license your pets. Cities also have codes and ordinances in place for vicious animals, all in an effort to keep our community safe.

After my father was bitten, he did as many would and called the sheriff’s office to file a complaint. He and my mom also called the city to check on pet registration and their local family doctor to ensure my dad was up to date on tetanus vaccination. Over the past few weeks, our family has learned there have been other dog attacks in town; however, those incidents have not been reported. I find this unsettling.

For instance, I heard the local sheriff’s deputy who lives in town was bitten by the same dog on multiple occasions while out for his daily run, but never reported the incidents and instead changed his running route. I’ve heard the dogs that bit my father had previously bitten another individual while walking in the city park, but the incident was never reported either.

Again I ask, what does a safe community mean to you? For me it now means bringing awareness to our small community that these types of incidents need to be reported to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors. Communication is key, and if the information is not shared the appropriate action or steps to make and keep a community safe become impossible.

I, too, was victim to a dog bite as a young girl and have a scar on my right cheek as a result; however, it did not stop me from loving or having pets but did guarantee that I was a responsible pet owner. Please do your part as a community resident and report any such incidents, register your pets with the city, and be responsible pet owners by having your pet leashed or within a fenced yard at all times when they are outside of your home. It will take all of these factors to ensure a safe community.

Tracey Grigg-Schuver,

Everly