First off, thanks to Whit Richardson for writing a very clear, unbiased article on the recent dog issues in South Portland.

What is wrong with our community that anyone would consider charging out-of-towners to walk in South Portland parks and beaches with a dog? Do people not realize that this is rude, snobby, elitist, prejudiced and creates a segregated community where out-of-town people and dogs are unwelcome?

To force people who like to walk with a dog and do not live in South Portland to pay a fee is ludicrous! To give a free permit to South Portlanders is just as ludicrous. Why not charge people who bring their children into South Portland a fee? Or charge those who ride their bicycles across the bridge and along South Portland roads and into parks? Why not charge out-of-town cars, which clog the roadways and take up parking spaces?

The idea of a permit for dogs is so incredibly exclusive it is embarrassing for South Portlanders. Does South Portland not want anyone other than those who pay mortgages or rent in South Portland to come over and enjoy the town? Why would South Portland want to create such animosity and exclusivity in what has been known as a great, open and friendly community?

Will other communities be so stupid as to follow suit and also demand anyone from away get a permit to use public land? What a sad, sad world we are living in if this becomes true, and what a horrible precedent South Portland will set. Eventually dogs will have to pay a fee to walk in Portland and Cape and Scarborough and Falmouth. People with dogs in South Portland won’t be able to walk with their friends with dogs in Portland, and so on. We will all have to stay in our separate towns and keep our dogs inside or tied up on chains.

What is the problem that people have with dogs anyway? They are generally very well controlled in South Portland. The rules are already quite strict and are respected. If anything, more hours and more space for dogs and dog owners would only help any problem with too many dogs at one time.

I’ve never known a more responsible, clean group of dog owners as those who use the South Portland parks, wherever they are from. All I can think is that South Portland just doesn’t want anyone “from away” walking on their parks and beaches.

Is this just a cheap way for towns to try to get extra cash from poor dog owners? If people do have to pay to walk their dog in South Portland, then they’d better be able to walk their dog anywhere, anytime and any way they want!

I understand other towns’ recent restrictions on dog walking has led to South Portland feeling overused, but a permit is about the worst possible solution thus far. If the surrounding towns came together and organized their dog rules it would work better.

If money is needed to hire more enforcement, why not up the dog registration fee to $10 or $15 for everyone and pool this money for more dog care and hours? Paying for a permit sets a horrible precedent for other towns to do the same, Please do not support this permit for dogs idea. It is downright rude and extremely elitist!

Lisa Jahn-Clough

Portland

First off, thanks to Whit Richardson for writing a very clear, unbiased article on the recent dog issues in South Portland.

What is wrong with our community that anyone would consider charging out-of-towners to walk in South Portland parks and beaches with a dog? Do people not realize that this is rude, snobby, elitist, prejudiced and creates a segregated community where out-of-town people and dogs are unwelcome?

To force people who like to walk with a dog and do not live in South Portland to pay a fee is ludicrous! To give a free permit to South Portlanders is just as ludicrous. Why not charge people who bring their children into South Portland a fee? Or charge those who ride their bicycles across the bridge and along South Portland roads and into parks? Why not charge out-of-town cars, which clog the roadways and take up parking spaces?

The idea of a permit for dogs is so incredibly exclusive it is embarrassing for South Portlanders. Does South Portland not want anyone other than those who pay mortgages or rent in South Portland to come over and enjoy the town? Why would South Portland want to create such animosity and exclusivity in what has been known as a great, open and friendly community?

Will other communities be so stupid as to follow suit and also demand anyone from away get a permit to use public land? What a sad, sad world we are living in if this becomes true, and what a horrible precedent South Portland will set. Eventually dogs will have to pay a fee to walk in Portland and Cape and Scarborough and Falmouth. People with dogs in South Portland won’t be able to walk with their friends with dogs in Portland, and so on. We will all have to stay in our separate towns and keep our dogs inside or tied up on chains.

What is the problem that people have with dogs anyway? They are generally very well controlled in South Portland. The rules are already quite strict and are respected. If anything, more hours and more space for dogs and dog owners would only help any problem with too many dogs at one time.

I’ve never known a more responsible, clean group of dog owners as those who use the South Portland parks, wherever they are from. All I can think is that South Portland just doesn’t want anyone “from away” walking on their parks and beaches.

Is this just a cheap way for towns to try to get extra cash from poor dog owners? If people do have to pay to walk their dog in South Portland, then they’d better be able to walk their dog anywhere, anytime and any way they want!

I understand other towns’ recent restrictions on dog walking has led to South Portland feeling overused, but a permit is about the worst possible solution thus far. If the surrounding towns came together and organized their dog rules it would work better.

If money is needed to hire more enforcement, why not up the dog registration fee to $10 or $15 for everyone and pool this money for more dog care and hours? Paying for a permit sets a horrible precedent for other towns to do the same, Please do not support this permit for dogs idea. It is downright rude and extremely elitist!

Lisa Jahn-Clough

Portland