Pro dog park

After reading yet another letter from a disgruntled homeowner claiming that dog parks are breeding grounds for urination, defecation, mating, etc., I feel I must speak up.

As the owner of a doggie day care and grooming facility in Camarillo, I spend my days with hundreds of our community's dogs. I feel privileged to spend my time watching socialized dogs interact with each other through communication, body language and play. I feel sorry for those of you who see these animals only as an inconvenience. Whatever happened to man's best friend?

I also attended the community meeting with the Parks and Recreation District to discuss the new dog park behind the community center in Camarillo. I sat there in disbelief as I listened to misinformed homeowners cite their reasons against having the dog park in their neighborhood.

Claiming that dog parks attract child predators or cause illnesses in human beings is ludicrous. I do not recall ever hearing that child predators are using dog parks to attract children. I am certain that no studies have shown that dog parks cause illness in human beings.

Since when did the dog become public enemy No. 1? In fact, dog parks attract responsible dog owners who clean up after their pets and strive to maintain a happy, peaceful environment for their dogs.

Finally, for those of you who do not want to be around dogs and their accompanying "waste, noise, etc.," I have only one question: What should we do about the rabbits, squirrels, birds, coyotes, raccoons and other creatures that poop, pee and reproduce in front of us? Should we get rid of them too?

If you don't think a dog park has its place in a residential neighborhood, do you propose having separate neighborhoods, ones that allow dogs and ones that don't? If you really want to live in a sterile environment you might think about moving to Iceland. Judy Arnold Camarillo