I read in the Gazette about a proposal to change the city's animal control bylaw, requiring dogs to be on leash at all times, except in designated off-leash areas. I have several concerns about this, and I am vehemently opposed to this idea.

Firstly, there are no designated off-leash areas in St. Albert. The de facto dog park at Lacombe Park pond is small, and with the recent development of neighbouring lands, affords little room for walking. People take their dogs to parks not just to stand there and watch their dog play with others (although that is part of it) but to walk, get some exercise and explore interesting areas. Until the city can develop interesting, vibrant and large off-leash areas, this proposal is unreasonable.

This was a serious defect in the recent proposal to designate the land along Levasseur Road as a dog park, and why that concept was not supported by St. Albert dog owners.

Secondly, what evidence do you have that off-leash dogs currently pose a greater danger to others than on-leash dogs? I have been bitten three times in the past year by dogs and all of them were on leash at the time. Most dogs are allowed off leash by their owners because they have proven in the past to be safe, friendly and obedient.

Lastly, this appears to be another attempt by intolerant St. Albert residents to define the city very narrowly into a group of people who believe, act and conform just like themselves. There is room in any vibrant community for diversity of opinion, belief and action.

I will not be voting in the next election for any councillor who supports this discriminatory change in the bylaws.

Gordon Mazurek, St. Albert

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