Most of the people who get mauled by dogs are young kids. When you think about it real hard, you should wonder, why do parents let their young children go out and play unsupervised? Maybe because this is a small village and a lot of people think that nothing remotely dangerous can really happen to their kids. But parents need to be aware of all the possible dangers there are that await their young kids as they step out the door without a watchful eye on them. Dogs are especially dangerous when they have pups, and they will do anything to protect their young just as parents would do for their kids.

I think that all dogs should be put in a fenced enclosure, most importantly the ones with pups. Little kids are curious, they don't think about what a dog can do to them if the dog is mean. One time when I was about five years old, I went to Pitkas Point with my dad and my older brother. I saw some cute little puppies and wanted to pet them, but I was wondering why they were kept inside a fence. Suddenly a big dog jumped out of a dog house inside the fence and started barking at me. Then I knew why they kept the dog and pups inside a fence. At the time I was just afraid, but now that I am grown up I am thankful that the owner of those dogs had them behind a fence. There are also kids who like to tease dogs. This could make the dogs mad, and then they attack the children out of frustration. It's hard to tell kids what they shouldn't do because often they don't listen since they lack something important that should be given to all children, discipline. That's why it's necessary for all parents, no matter if their child is a good listener or not, to watch what their kids are doing at all times. Nothing is going to stop kids from exploring things they don't know about, like cute little puppies. Penning up dogs would make it easier because parents wouldn't have to worry about their kids getting mauled. But parents need to remember that there are other things that could happen to kids that could get them hurt, like playing with dangerous tools or weapons, or wandering down to the beach and falling in the water.

For dog mushers, it could cost a lot of money to fence up their dogs. Most mushers have a lot of dogs and it could be hard for some of them to pay the high price. But, if it means safety for people of all ages, I think that it would be a really good idea. I know a lot of grown people who are also afraid of being bitten by dogs, and they are especially cautious during dog races. There are tons of people who would give a big sigh of relief to know they're less likely to get a dog bite. Mushers have always done a good job at watching their dogs and making sure that they don't hurt anyone while they're racing. But while they're not racing, it's hard to watch every move their dogs make and be sure that people or kids don't wander too close.

If you have dogs, just think how much more secure people could feel around them if they were penned up. People have enough stress from everyday life not to have to worry about being bitten by an angry dog.

So if you have kids, or if you plan to have them someday, remember to watch them and make sure they don't get into things you don't want them to. Keep them safe and teach them right from wrong. Never underestimate the curiosity of a young mind.

Charlotte Alstrom