To the editor:
I have been a Yachats resident off and on through the last three decades, and have been here permanently for over a decade. I love this little strange town with its diverse inhabitants, and I have always been made to feel welcome and appreciated here. Within the last few years my son has experienced some strange health symptoms, so we decided to have him checked for allergies. We found that he is allergic to dust mites (a common allergy) and surprisingly also allergic to dogs. This diagnosis was unexpected but also confirmed what we had observed during his reactions to canines in the community. We have taken steps to help him avoid interaction with dogs, not knowing how dangerous a reaction he can potentially have to them.
I am writing this because today we had an unfortunate incident at the Yachats State Beach park. I have been trying to teach my son to surf, and in the midst of this pandemic it has been tricky trying to maintain safe social distancing with so many people not wearing masks outdoors. Even so, we have only visited the beach mid-week and when there is a clear path to the ocean from the parking area. We obviously cannot wear masks because we are entering the water and I would never attempt to enforce mask wearing.
However, Oregon law states in ORS 390.124, Division 10 GENERAL PARK AREA RULES 736-010-0030 that all dogs must be on a leash of no more than 6 feet (except in specifically designated areas) when in Oregon State Parks. As my son and I were exiting the ocean I was observing all the people on the beach with their dogs off the leash. In the past I never concerned myself with their behavior but because of my son I have become much more vigilant about making sure that no dogs attempt to get close to him. As he was washing his board a dog came running up to us and attempted to get around me to get close to my son. I was forced to yell and stomp at the dog to ward it off. It began growling and menacing me, still trying to get close to my son. I yelled at the owner, who was some 50 yards away, to get the dog on a leash. The owner began calling for the dog to come but it wouldn’t heed her words. Finally she got close enough to leash the dog and walked the dog off the beach.
To all the dog owners out there: I respect, and in many ways envy, the joy that dog ownership brings. I have been a dog owner myself and know how important they are to us. However, when your dog is off leash, inasmuch as you may have the sweetest, most obedient dog in the world, my son’s health can be potentially in danger if your dog gets close to him. Please realize that the laws are in place to prevent an unneeded conflict from occurring, and not all people can handle being in the presence of dogs. Having a dog off leash is not only against the law in state parks, but is potentially hazardous to those who are also enjoying our state’s public facilities.
Please observe our state’s leash laws.
— John Deriberprey, Yachats