Re: ‘Resident concerned with unleashed dogs roaming in Englishman River Park’ (www.pqbnews.com, Feb. 11)
I was disappointed to read your correspondent’s quite lengthy report of canine experiences at Top Bridge Park.
I live very close and walk my dog there very regularly.
In my dog walking experience of over six years, I have not come across incidences such as those described.
I have met and know many of the regular dog owners and professional dog walkers who use the park and can affirm that their charges are under their control and ‘dog walking etiquette’ is followed.
That is, leashing their dog when another is on leash and leashing or ‘collaring’ their dog when approaching walkers/hikers who are on their own.
After all, not everyone is a dog lover!
I agree, filming a dog killing a spawning salmon is pretty reprehensible but I can attest to the fact that most local regular dogwalkers avoid Top Bridge in the spawning season anyway as there is nothing worse than putting your dog in the car after it has rolled in parts of a salmon carcass dropped by an eagle or left by a bear.
It is in the best interests of us dog owners to abide by park rules that dogs be under control.
This shouldn’t mean necessarily that the animal is tied to the hip but that it obeys the owner’s commands at all times.
Sadly, I agree that poop left on trails by a few dog owners is ignorant.
It is the owner’s responsibility whether or not the dog is on a leash.
The majority of plastic poop bags, I have seen, are left there temporarily and are picked up by responsible dog owners on their return trip to their car.
It would be a shame if the majority are tarnished with the same brush as outlined in the article.
Tim Palmer
Nanoose Bay
READ MORE: Your letters here