Over the past three months there have been a number of letters about the Lacombe Lake Park off-leash park. Let's not forget that the city set the current area aside for dogs after a good deal of discussion afforded to the public.
It's a great area for dogs and their owners to socialize and have an area to exercise them. I go to the area a number of times a week and at different hours during the day. Every day my blue heeler begs to go swimming.
For all the times I've been there I've seen one so-called dog fight. The two small dogs involved belonged to the same owner and tussled over a stick. It seemed to be a similar thing as two humans having a feud. Interestingly, other dogs in the immediate area just stood and watched. My dog went around picking up bets from them on who would win the fight.
A few days ago a young boy (maybe three years old) picked up a dog's ball and started running away from the dog. His parents weren't watching him as they were talking to someone. What they saw was a fairly large dog chasing after the little boy and the boy frightened and screaming. Who was at fault here — the parents of the boy who weren't minding their child or the dog and owner? Those who understand dogs realize the dog thought the boy was playing. At no time did it bite or threaten. The owner apologized profusely and explained the situation to the parents. If you take young kids to the area, remember where you are.
I've never seen one complaint about human conduct in the area, such as bikers who do not ring a bell as warning prior to whizzing by, scaring people and startling dogs which then go into defensive mode and bark or snap at them. Then of course there are the humans who wander all over, dropping their trash and plastic bottles. If you complain about dogs and their owners include those subjects in your content, too.
If you’re going to object about dog behaviour and you’re not comfortable in that area don't go there. Goodness, St. Albert has many and nicer areas to walk. Don't change the off-leash area from its present form except perhaps to put signs up that say, ‘Warning: off-leash area for dogs and owners only.’ We are taxpayers, too, so surely we are entitled to one nice location.
You can't drive a motorized vehicle without passing a driving test and obtaining a licence. You can't legally have an outdoor fire without a permit stating the pit has been inspected. Maybe it's time for dog owners and their dogs to have a certificate proving that both have passed a good behaviour test. Boy, would that get rid of a lot of irresponsible dog owners. Does the city have any idea as to the number of dogs without licences? I'd bet it's well over 50 per cent. Come on dog owners — if you want to continue to have our Lacombe off-leash dog park get vociferous, otherwise the ones who don't want dogs around will get their way.
Barrie Burton, St. Albert
