A text version of the student work sample is provided below.
Note: student responses have not been corrected for grammar or spelling. Despite some words being misspelt, the meaning and student's understanding is clear.
Dear Editor
1.
It’s about time the Council took action to get wandering dogs off our street and away from parks and playgrounds where children play and rate payers like me regularly walk my dogs on leads.
2.
I was so upset and angry to read in last week’s paper that another young child and her small dog were attacked by a dog wandering the streets – no owner in sight and no registration tag on the dog!
3.
I have two dogs which cost $200 a year to register (and much more in food and care). Although this is a lot of money for me, I pay it willingly to ensure my dogs are protected.
4.
I love my dogs, Suki and Oscar and they are very much part of my family. I got them from the local animal shelter over three years ago after they had been dumped by their irresponsible first owners. I always walk my dogs on a lead and we go to dog obedience and training classes each week. I have put up strong fences and gates to keep Suki and Oscar in the backyard when I am at work. This is part of being a responsible pet owner! Responsible pet ownership should be taught in schools and people not able to own a pet until they have passed a course.
5.
Council rangers must have all the powers and equipment they need to remove any dogs (registered or not) that they find wandering the streets. If the owners of the dogs are found and want their dogs back they should be made to pay a large fine and made to complete a responsible pet ownership course.
6.
I write to support the work of council rangers and local vets and urge all dog owners to be responsible – register and secure their dogs (at home and on leads when in public places). If you can’t or won’t do this then please take your dog to the animal shelter where it might find a new owner like my Suki and Oscar – don’t just dump and abandon your dog where out of fear or hunger it will attack children and other dogs!