To the City of Raton and local court officials:

We, the undersigned, request that you act immediately to prevent loose dogs in Raton. We are horrified by the bloody dog attack on a Raton woman in a public alley on March 2, 2020. The dog mauled her head, scalp and arms, breaking both arms. She had to be airlifted out to a hospital for multiple surgeries. If not for the intervention of the woman’s neighbors, she might easily have been killed. She will require long-term rehabilitation for her wounds and psychological trauma. Here is the action we request:

• City officials should make it clear that no one is above the law.
• Law enforcement officers, including city police and city animal control, should enforce existing laws to stop the presence of loose dogs, who are unpredictable, potentially dangerous and a liability. Lax enforcement has led to this situation. Officers should be directed to cite offenders whenever possible.
• These citations should be taken seriously by the local courts, with offenders prosecuted and punished accordingly under the law.
• The city should return to a staff of two full-time animal control officers, instead of the current situation of one full-time officer and one half-time officer.
• City officials need to recognize this situation is creating bad publicity for Raton, especially on social media. Many people seeking a new place to live want safe, walkable communities.

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