I would like to take this opportunity to thank all responsible dog owners who respect that the St. Albert trail systems are on-leash areas.
I am an avid runner who was attacked from behind by two dogs this past Saturday while running on a designated trail. The owner had leashes in-hand while letting the dogs run freely in the field next to the trail. I was bitten in the right abdomen during this horrific attack, which lasted approximately 15 seconds before the owner was able to catch up and put his dogs on their leashes.
I am a reasonable person and realize that unprovoked attacks such as this are a rare occurrence however, rare or not, they can all be prevented by having control over your dog, primarily with the use of a leash. If this dog decided to attack one of the children I saw on the same day, things very likely would have been much worse, as this was a very large, strong dog.
According to the owner, this was the dog’s first attack and he even offered to me that “this is actually a really friendly dog” minutes after it mauled me. Hmmm.
This owner’s mindset is what provoked me to write this letter. I constantly hear from dog owners as their pets run wild around me and my young children that “he/she just wants to play” or “he/she is really friendly and you don't have to worry.” (I live in a house that backs onto Ted Hole Park so we experience this on a regular basis).
Don't you think the responsible thing to do is just keep your dog on a leash while there are others using the same trail/park that may or may not want your dog running up to them and possibly scaring or even attacking them? To the owners who respect this, I say bravo and thank you! To the others, shame on you and your ignorance defines your lack respect for our community and its residents.
Mark Haun, St. Albert
