I live in Cadboro Bay with my lovely three-year-old golden retriever, who happens to be a certified therapy dog. He does good work, and when he is not working he needs to enjoy life. He lives for running free along trails with me. His health and mine both depend on this. I moved to this area specifically because of the wonderful opportunities to be outside with him, off-leash, and safe.
If you do the research you will learn and understand that “dog parks” are actually typically unsafe places. They contain animals that become more fearful when they know they can’t get away from a predator. They also encourage people to stand around talking – not paying attention to their dogs, which is when bad things happen. When people walk on trails and beaches with their dogs they pay a lot more attention. Also passing people and dogs on narrow trails when the dogs are leashed is a recipe for disaster. Dogs are more reactive and fearful on leash – when they are free they greet each other quickly and move on – no harm, no foul. You simply cannot expect everyone who has a dog to use one tiny little fenced-in loop. It will be mayhem.
You have failed to recognize or understand the needs of many people with dog companions. Many of us are people who do not have children and many are older folks. Our dogs are our entry point into the community. Our dogs get us out and walking and connected to other people. Like many people, most of my friendships in the community have resulted from dog walking at the beach and the parks. For older people, these daily connections are important for their physical and mental health. The draft strategy is mute on disabled people’s unique use of park trails and beaches. It does not recognize the special relationships that disabled people often have with their dogs and how dogs are brilliant conversation starters. Why not take the approach of asking people to train their dogs – and reward those who do with a tag that allows them to be off-leash with their dogs.
I ask council to create a plan that makes sense and honours the history and spirit of this community. Saanich needs to set an example for other communities. And be a place people want to move and travel to with their families and pets (who are a part of the family).
Sue Abuelsamid
Saanich
