Dear Editor,

I would like to bring attention to the public to something that is truly a concern of many citizens. Dogs loose or tied in the beds of pick up trucks that are being driven around town and on the highways. The drivers of these trucks are being irresponsible owners and taking the chance of the lives of these dogs. If a truck happened to even have a small accident- their dog would go flying out of the bed of the truck and would be injured or killed in an instant. The people that drive around slowly being very careful since their dogs are in the beds of their truck can also get in trouble with another driver.

My heart goes out to these dogs that I see that are really having the time of their lives trusting their owners. It is so much fun for them. They do not know any different. They depend on their owners to take care of them.

I have seen loose dogs in the bed of trucks going down the highway at a speed of 70 mph. The dogs love to ride with their front paws up on the sides of the truck beds and even worse, the dog would ride on the tool box up near the cab. The dogs do not know the dangers, but the people that choose to let their dogs ride in this way do not realize that a bum in the road or a sudden swerve would throw the dog out of the bed of the truck. The owner may or may not realize that the dog is gone and thus be would be leaving their dog severely hurt or dead. I think to keep our dogs safe, we should be responsible owners and leave our dogs at home or keep them safe in the cab while driving. I don’t know if derivers are aware of this, or just taking a chance that nothing will happen or just simply being irresponsible. Our dogs (pertaining to all dogs) should be cared for and kept in a safe environment as they put their trust in us by giving us their unconditional love. To own and care for a dog, we owe it to them to do the same.

Please keep your dogs safe and not in the bed of pickup.

Love them as they love you.

Jerry Martin

Blanco, TX