Taking Action

Morgan was walking her dog, Pip, with her friend Rasha. Suddenly a big dog raced toward them, barking loudly. Pip pulled hard on his leash. Then, before Morgan could tighten her grip, the leash flew from her hand. As Pip took off toward the playground, the big dog ran after him, growling and barking.

The two dogs tore around the slide, through the sandbox, and around the swings. Then Pip darted toward the tennis court. ” I’ve got him! ” a tennis player called, grabbing Pip’s leash. ” Whew! ” Morgan ran over and scooped up her dog. “ Thank you! ” A young guy with a skateboard appeared and whistled at the big dog. “ Dakota! Come! ”

” Hey! ” Morgan called. “ Your dog chased my dog all over the park! ” ” Relax, kid. It’s totally fine. ” “ No, it’s not! ” Rasha said. “ Pip could have gotten bitten, or he could have run out into the street! You should keep your dog on a leash! ”

Dakota ran off again, chasing a squirrel this time. The skateboarder shrugged. Then he dropped his board and skated away. Morgan could still feel her heart thumping in her chest. “ That was terrifying. ” ” We need to do something! ” Rasha fumed. “ Our city doesn’t have a leash law.

Let’s tell the city council to enact one. It’s not safe for dogs to run loose in the park. ” ” Um, there’s just one problem, ” Morgan said. “ We’re kids. Who’s going to listen to us?” ” In a democracy we have rights too, ” Rasha said. ” Besides, my mom used to work at City Hall. So I have some ideas! ”

Morgan and Rasha got busy. First, they sent a letter to the newspaper about why their city needed a leash law to keep dogs safe. Next, they sent emails to friends and neighbors, asking them to call local politicians. After that, they created a petition. “ We need to collect lots of signatures, ” Rasha said.