Two letters to the editor in the Butler Eagle last week addressed the issue of dogs being brought to the annual Cruise-A-Palooza in the downtown business district.

The first letter, from a woman who attended the event, said that for the third year in a row she had gone to see a car show but, instead, felt as if she was at a dog show. She said "there must have been 150 dogs on Main Street amid the crowd" and not one of the dogs she was was muzzled.

In response to her letter, the publicity director of the Rodfathers of Butler Car Club said members of her group, the cruise's sponsoring organization, also were "upset about all of the dogs" at the event.

She lamented that the problem is that there is no ordinance in Butler concerning animals at events in the downtown. However, she said she had spoken to Mayor Leonard Pintell and some other members of the city council, who said they hoped to have an ordinance on the books for next year's event.

She also lamented that bicycles and skateboards were other problems causing difficulty at this major city event.

Even though the ordinance issue could be difficult from the standpoint that dogs are permitted on the streets with their owners at other times, a remedy to the problem must be pursued nonetheless because of the safety issue involved.

Indeed, it's puzzling why the issue wasn't addressed in the past, since the dog problem has existed prior to this year.

The Rodfathers and those who enjoy the event should continue to remind council members about the need for rules on dogs' attendance at not only the Cruise-A-Palooza but at other major downtown street events as well.

And, the council should address the skateboard and bicycle issues as well.

In most cases, the people whose vehicles are showcased at Cruise-A-Palooza have spent many thousands of dollars on their vehicles. To have them damaged by carelessness or dirtied by animals is unconscionable and should not be tolerated.

Playing host to such an event carries obligations for the city. One is that the city do all it can to ensure the safety of people attending the event as well as discourage things that are not in the best interests of the show.

"I'm not a dog hater," said the woman whose letter to the editor appeared first. "Mine was at home - where it belonged."

It's good she brought the issue to the forefront at this time to give city officials adequate time to address it.

The city council should not put the issue on the shelf and forget about it. If dogs are going to be the focus of an event on Main Street, it should be at a dog show, not a car show.

- J.R.K.