On Nov. 14, 2015 I was running on the Red Willow trail system in Grandin and was attacked by a large dog. I ended up severely injured with a dislocated shoulder. This injury ruined my winter and I ended up with physio bills and my season as a ski instructor was over before it began. The dog owner took her dog and left me injured, to fend for myself.
This was not an isolated or rare occurrence. In the last two weeks alone I've been assaulted three times by people's dogs. I am on the trails, which are marked on-leash areas. Luckily I was able to defend myself and not be injured.
As I lace up for my run, I don't think about the weather. I don’t think about the friends I might see on the trails. I think about how violent today’s dog encounter will be and hope I won’t get injured. We've had leash laws for over two years now and yet a large number of residents refuse to leash their dogs.
I have talked many times to by-law and they explain that they're working on “education” as opposed to “enforcement.” Well, it's not working. They did also inform me that I’m able to use pepper spray or other means to defend myself. Sorry if I spray your dog – that can be avoided if you leash them.
John Shellenberg, St. Albert
