2008 Woodie Awards
RSSA dog's life
Editorial
By Edit Board
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Opinion
Many local Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and humane societies are strict about who they will allow to adopt a dog. Some refuse to sell dogs to anyone who lives in a fraternity house while others refuse to sell dogs to college students in general. Lehigh students living in Greek houses are allowed to have dogs. Students must register the dog with residential services, a process that includes paperwork and inspections - but can this determine if the environment is suitable to dogs?
Let's face it - not everyone is ready to be a dog owner. Another creature's life is a huge responsibility that requires maturity and quite a bit of time. We've all seen dogs roaming around parties licking beer-covered Beirut tables and floors. And while residential services requires paperwork, vaccinations and inspections for dogs, there needs to be a more rigorous process.
Will the owner have time to exercise the dog multiple times throughout the day? Are they capable of training their dog? Will they make sure it is treated well by their fraternity and sorority members and housemates? None of these questions are really examined in the prerequisites for having a dog at Lehigh. Residential services needs to look out for the best interest of the dogs on campus. This means actually doing frequent check-ups with dogs, their owners and housemates to make sure the dog is living in a friendly, clean, healthy environment.
It shouldn't be impossible for students to have dogs on campus. Owning a dog has obvious benefits and dogs are great companions for stressed-out students. It just takes a special breed of student to properly care for four-legged friends.
Let's face it - not everyone is ready to be a dog owner. Another creature's life is a huge responsibility that requires maturity and quite a bit of time. We've all seen dogs roaming around parties licking beer-covered Beirut tables and floors. And while residential services requires paperwork, vaccinations and inspections for dogs, there needs to be a more rigorous process.
Will the owner have time to exercise the dog multiple times throughout the day? Are they capable of training their dog? Will they make sure it is treated well by their fraternity and sorority members and housemates? None of these questions are really examined in the prerequisites for having a dog at Lehigh. Residential services needs to look out for the best interest of the dogs on campus. This means actually doing frequent check-ups with dogs, their owners and housemates to make sure the dog is living in a friendly, clean, healthy environment.
It shouldn't be impossible for students to have dogs on campus. Owning a dog has obvious benefits and dogs are great companions for stressed-out students. It just takes a special breed of student to properly care for four-legged friends.
