Our intrepid reporters can write utterly compelling, perfectly reasonable and timely stories about government's handling of just about anything, and it still gets a fraction of the response that overflows the circuits and in-boxes when they write about pets, particularly dogs.

We got a lot of attention and comment online when Deena Winter reported that the people at Animal Control, part of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, are taking a look at some potential revisions to local pet ordinances.

Most of the attention is being paid to policies used elsewhere that would demand more responsibility from pet owners and could penalize those who allow their pets to harass or attack people. There is nothing in the material, at least so far, that focuses on any particular breed of animal, which some people fear might happen.

Director Bruce Dart hastened to emphasize this hasn't reached the "proposal" stage yet, just information-gathering at the request of the City Council.

"These were just some ideas, general ideas other cities have put into ordinance and have had some success with," Dart said. "Whether or not they'd work in Lincoln, we don't know."

We're not endorsing any of these ideas yet, nor are we rejecting them. But there's enough going on in this field elsewhere to call it a trend toward demanding more responsibility of pet owners.

We're applauding the local government's methodical, transparent, conscientious approach to addressing issues that are bound to inspire both rational and emotional reactions among those who are pet lovers and those who aren't. You certainly know who you are.

Animal Control Manager Robert Westfall figures some of the ideas would mean changing city ordinances, some wouldn't, and all of them could fit under recent changes in state law that take effect at the end of August.

Under that amended law, owners of dogs declared dangerous because of an earlier attack on a person or animal could face misdemeanor charges if their dog causes "serious bodily injury." Owners could face felony charges after another offense.

The Animal Control Advisory Committee has heard the ideas and will meet again to offer feedback.

Public listening sessions have not been scheduled and probably won't be until the City Council offers its feedback.

"They may not like any of it," Westfall said, so there's no point in drafting any proposed changes in ordinance yet.

We encourage pet lovers and other interested parties to pay attention and participate.

Taking care of your family's beloved companions, or protecting your property and person, are among the closest interests a citizen has in democracy.