In response to Judy Roncalli’s letter to the editor: All dog owners would love a swimming hole for our dogs to enjoy in the hot weather, but there are several options if that’s not possible. I’ve used a small plastic child’s pool in my backyard. Not ideal, but it does offer some relief from the heat if that’s your goal. If that’s not an option, most pet supply stores sell 30-foot cloth leashes, and I utilized one myself this week so my 5-month-old pup (who is not reliable off leash yet) could swim in the Manhan River here in Westhampton. It allowed me to stand on the shore, keep my feet dry and still have control over my pup. Or you could even tie two 30-foot leashes together for extra “freedom” in the water.
There are options if you think outside the box. While yours might be, not all off-leash dogs are responsive to voice commands, so I’m sure the Amherst leash law exists for a good reason.
Mikki Nevins
Westhampton