It happens to every BMS student. They get a little bored and gaze out the window to see dogs walking, running, and playing along the pathway outside. From black labs to border collies, these furry visitors bring happiness to Bedford Middle School.

But a recent event may change this view.

According to Dr. Adam Rosen, a few weeks ago a 6th grader running in gym class was “pounced on by a dog.” This one incident could change the entire dog walking trend as we know it.
Dog walking, an activity few in the school or on the pathways thought about, is now the subject of a controversy.

“Dogs are not allowed on school grounds during school hours, 24/7, 365 days a year,” said Dr. Rosen. As many of the students who have classrooms on the first floor of the school know, now this is completely case.

Due to animal control circling the fields of Bedford the presences of dogs has decreased.

Outside around the school, there are many signs saying “No dogs allowed on school grounds during school hours.”

In reference to this, Dr. Rosen stated, “There is going to be new signs that say no dogs allowed because the signs that are present now, are confusing.”

And then there is the issue of mess.

As these dog walkers amble along the paths, it is inevitable that their furry friends will have to use the bathroom. Some walkers often leave their dogs’ feces on the grass near the paths. What about the students just trying to finish their lap in gym class that step in it? What about the ridicule and pure grossness that ensues?

Rok Zajec, an annual dog walker, explained to “Ursus,” that his dog walking group not only picks up their own dog poop but also picks up any extra that they so happen to notice.

But these people picking up extra poop don’t seem to be minimizing the problem of waste on the fields of Bedford. There are just too many dog with owners who don’t carry that vital blue bag.

Carl McNair, a man with four boys who are graduates from Bedford, has been walking this loop for about 12 years.

“I come here every single day rain or shine, sleet or snow. I try and do my best to keep my dog away from the classrooms.”

He explained that he loves the exercise it gives him and his dog, and that he truly tries his best to not disturb any of the classrooms around the path.

However, it seems that even his best intentions no longer matter, because he will no longer be able to walk his dog at Bedford during school hours and continue his past traditions.

A parent of a BMS student, who asked not to be identified because she did not want to be classified as a person whose dog is a threat, is another daily dog walker at Bedford.

“I love walking my dog around the Bedford loop. I try to restrain him from approaching the students participating in outdoor gym activities, because not only is it a rule, but I also don’t want to interfere with the class,” she said.

This parent respects the school’s policy. She wants not only her children but all students to have the best learning environment possible.

Dr. Rosen thinks there is a need to keep dogs and kids apart. “I believe that dogs and kids are a wonderful combination; however, dogs and public school students are not a wonderful combination. I feel that dogs on school property presents a health and safety risk for our students.”
Although a dog lover, he feels that the children’s learning and school experience is more important, which is why he feels the future of Bedford dog walking should be limited.