I was reading the Letters section of the May 1 Acorn when I read Bruce Kammerich's letter, "Concerned about lack of licensed dogs at dog park."

While I license my animals to be compliant with the law and I also believe that responsible pet owners should license their animal, I don't think licensing is the real answer to Mr. Kammerich's concerns.

Licensing of your animal does not mean the animal is up-to-date on any shots other than rabies, which is the only inoculation required to obtain a license.

My pets are both licensed and vaccinated, but I use several training collars and harnesses on my animals that do not readily display the single supplied license from the county. I also own one small dog for whom the large diskshaped tag is inappropriate; just because the animal is not wearing a tag does not necessarily mean it is not licensed.

The real need is to educate pet owners. Maybe a posting board with information and even the availability of monthly shot clinics at the park (they could rotate through interested vets in the area) is the answer, but having random raids by animal control is not.

Random raids by animal control would actually deter even responsible owners from using the park.

I, for one, would not want to be hassled persistently regardless of my licensed status.

If you are worried about your animal contracting diseases such as parvo and kennel cough ask your vet about how to protect your animal better.

Parvo, for instance, can be given more frequently to susceptible breeds. Otherwise you may just need to keep your pet at home. Beverly Treadwell Simi Valley