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Please, slow down on our street

This is an open letter to the couple who drove on Chestnut Street towards Hirst Avenue and hit a small black-and-white dog. On the afternoon of Tuesday, March 19 a sound of braking car was followed by a horrible cries of a dog in pain.
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This is an open letter to the couple who drove on Chestnut Street towards Hirst Avenue and hit a small black-and-white dog. On the afternoon of Tuesday, March 19 a sound of braking car was followed by a horrible cries of a dog in pain.

An older couple pulled over and stepped out of the car to inspect the damage. A young lady came running with a blanket to cover the now silent dog. We rushed to find a board to transport this dog to a car and instructed the young lady how to get to the Nanaimo Emergency Animal Hospital.

She was puppy-sitting her mother’s dog and was unfamiliar with the neighbourhood. As we sent her on her way, we realized that the older couple left. They did not inquire about the dog’s well-being, did not offer to cover the costs of the emergency. Did not leave a name or information on how to get in touch with them.

Chestnut Street has a posted speed limit of 40 km/h and it seems to be treated as a convenient shortcut from the early morning to late at night. Speed limit is rarely observed by young and old alike. Steady stream of parents, racing their children to and from school is preceded by early commuters to Nanaimo.

Even late in the evening, it is a favourite road for night speeders. A dangerous pedestrian crossing, well-utilized by students and dog-walkers, is difficult to cross in the daylight and even more so in the dark of Winter. By the way, the little black-and-white dog did not survive. What if it was a child or a senior?

Please, slow down.

Dorota Smith

Parksville