Last modified: Monday, March 10, 2008 9:13 AM EDT DOG PAWSE: Don't punish all dog owners for idiocy of the few BY TRACIE LALIBERTE-BAILEY/FOR THE SUN CHRONICLE Now that the temperature is becoming more agreeable, I have started taking my dog for walks again. We were venturing through the small park behind my house last weekend when I felt something smoosh beneath my sneakers. I looked down and, to my horror, I saw that we had ventured into a field of doggy land-mine waste. I was so disgusted and upset by this gruesome discovery that I marched right home and returned to the toxic site a few minutes later with my pooper-scooper and a trash bag. I found this scene so upsetting mostly because I know that it is exactly this problem of not picking up after one's dog that contributes to the general "unwelcoming" attitude toward dogs in our society. I know that the irresponsible actions of one member of the group simply ruin it for the masses of hyper-responsible dog owners. The concept of responsible dog ownership is also a contributing factor to the recent dog park controversy. As if my opinion matters as much as a single flea on a St. Bernard, I'd like to weigh in on this focus toward "responsible dog ownership." As citizens of a liberal democracy, we are allowed great individual freedom. With this freedom, however, comes certain responsibilities and moral obligations. As dog owners, we are obligated to keep our dogs vaccinated, healthy, communally quiet, restrained, and tame. We are expected not to allow our dogs to menace society; this includes picking up after them, not allowing them to chase kids on bicycles, or scare the mail carrier. These responsibilities seem perfectly reasonable and easy to follow for nearly all dog owners. The greater mindset of those in power who make and impose the rules of our society all too frequently supports the reality that the irresponsible actions of a few ruin it for the many. If one person doesn't pick up after their dog, then a NO DOGS ALLOWED sign gets posted. The problem with this mindset is that it is too focused on responsibilities, and as such, flippantly dismisses the fundamental rights of dog owners. Think about it. If a child brings a gun to school and shoots a classmate, we don't put a ban on children going to school. If someone gets behind the wheel of a car and throws trash out of their car window, you won't see a sign on I-95 the next day that reads, "No cars allowed." Now I don't pretend to have the answer as to how to instill responsibility in all dog owners, but I know that punishing the whole group for the actions of a few is not within the political design of a liberal democracy. Perhaps the answer lies in requiring the passing of a test or taking a class before licensing a dog. Perhaps the solution rests in imposing punitive fines or the revocation of individual rights of those who act irresponsibility. For the record, I did pick up that area in the park and I am in the process of building a doggy waste bag dispenser that I plan to place in plain view and keep filled. I may be living with the prayer for a miracle, but I hope that someday we Americans with dogs can enjoy the same freedom that the Europeans already have: Dogs intermingle with society and are welcome where people are welcome. Wags, Tracie TRACIE LALIBERTE-BAILEY of Attleboro is a professional lecturer, educator and published writer on the subject of dogs. She is pursuing a doctoral degree on the human-canine bond. You can contact her with any dog-related questions at tracie@dogpawse.com.