With the Saanich council meeting scheduled for June 26, I am compelled to write to you as a matter of great urgency to vehemently oppose the Saanich People, Pets, and Parks draft strategy plan.
After a three-year period of very sensible, necessary restrictions, I am utterly appalled by the extreme over-regulation of leash-optional areas in this proposed plan. While having the enormous good fortune to call this part of beautiful British Columbia home, record-breaking temperatures are undeniably our new norm, and the alarming scarcity of veterinary services on southern Vancouver Island will be unable to provide health care to its 21,000-plus resident dogs whose physical and mental well-being predominantly depends on adequate, appropriate forms of exercise so as to stave off the myriad of resultant illnesses and diseases stemming from obesity.
The data points for Saanich’s People, Pets, and Parks draft strategy plan were assimilated over a 16-month period and comprehensively reviewed by an independent panel of consultants. The consultants’ “statistically valid survey” is demonstrably devoid of expert input from qualified canine professionals – who would readily attest to the fact that replacing leash-optional areas with dog parks is not a viable solution, as the vast majority of (mature) dogs don’t want to “play” with other dogs (unfamiliar or otherwise). Rather, what they require on a consistent basis are natural environments to run, walk and explore (birds fly, fish swim, dogs walk – or, more precisely, speed walk). However, their salient findings irrefutably show that most Saanich residents do not see a problem that is significant enough to require substantial change.
Coming from a military background, I am hardwired to follow orders and am not generally given to disobeying (reasonable) directives. However, in this particular instance, I must stand firm and wish to be clear: I will not – not ever – abide by this, frankly ludicrous, strategy plan, and if implemented, will unwaveringly ‘go to the mattresses’.
Alison Forster
Brentwood Bay
