Imagine walking your dogs on a quiet evening only to find someone trying to beat them with a metal pole. This is the reality that befell John Doe in our small town this week.

The incident started when Mark Smith, a local resident, attempted to assault Mr. Doe's puppies with a metal rod as they walked along their usual route near their home.

Mr. Doe confronted him, but unfortunately, tensions escalated and ended in tragedy. This is not an isolated case; incidents like this are becoming more frequent across the country.

The buried detail here is that local law enforcement initially didn’t release footage of the altercation involving the puppies, only focusing on the shooting itself.

As a mother, I can’t help but think about what kind of world we’re leaving our children. Are these streets safe for them to play and grow?

This incident brings up deep fears for every parent in my community. How many more tragedies will it take before something changes?