I would like to take a moment to address those of you who feel that the rules for walking your best friend do not apply to you. We love dogs, and ours happens to be a rescue we adopted and is very reactive to other dogs due to her past life before we adopted her. We stay away from off-leash areas because of this and stick to clearly posted on-leash areas where we can work to re-train our family member with the help of a professional trainer.
However, some of you have decided that the off-leash parks are not good enough for you and feel it’s OK to let your dog run free in the only areas of Saanich where we can work with our rescue. I’m guessing that you didn’t think to check the signs at the entrance ways or you just don’t care about anyone but yourselves? Quite selfish really!
For example, every school ground including the universities is clearly marked on-leash and is a great place for our pet to re-learn and grow, that is until an off-leash dog comes into the area and ends the training again. Please just follow the rules, and then the rest of us who do, can count on a place to help our pets. This also applies to public streets … imagine the senior couple not crazy about dogs out for a morning stroll when yours runs up for a meet and greet? Check the bylaws, pet owners!
Please take a moment and consider the many people in Greater Victoria who adopt pets, and those animals may have had a rough start to life. To satisfy your privilege, please consider taking your pet to a designated off-leash area where we won’t be affected by you or your dog, and we won’t bother you either! Your dog, no matter how well-behaved, running around off-leash in an on-leash area creates extreme stress and anxiety for a dog that is reactive to other dogs. Thank you for understanding.
Peter Haring
Saanich
