My name is Helen McKenna. I'm from Western Hills.
This morning I woke up to find a note on my pillow. It was signed by my dogs, Casey and Zuni and it was neatly typed. I have no idea how they got into the computer room since the door is always locked. Anyhow, the note asked that I read it in front of you. So here it is:
We will try to tell you, from a dog's point of view, why we want off-leash areas. We are creatures who not only have a super sense of smell, but we have a super need to be with other creatures. We want to be your companions, not security devices. We are not loners or hermits. We are more like 5-yr. old kids - with fur. We want to run and play.
Why do you fear us so? You talk so much about being attacked or bitten. Have you checked on the statistics, on how many of us ever bite during our entire lifetimes? Why don't you compare our criminal records against humans? Why do you stress the negative? Why do you exaggerate? The fact is our aggressiveness, when measured against humans, is far, far less. I think most of you know this.
Almost all of our bad behavior is due to lack of training. And that is because you humans have not taken the time. Is that our fault? We need strong leaders, just like you do.
We have served you for thousands of years. We have saved you from burning buildings. We have rescued you from drowning. We have given our lives for you. We comfort you, we put our heads on your laps when you need us to. We herd your sheep. We pull your sleds. We sniff out YOUR drugs. We don't need drugs to get high. All we're asking is for you to let us get high legally in a healthy way - running off leash, with your blessings.
This will come back to you, if you give us our freedom. In better dogs, better humans, better neighborhoods.

Helen McKenna
May 21, 1998,
delivered at City of San Diego Park & Rec. Board meeting.