This past May, I wrote to all of you (and a letter to the editor of the Guelph Mercury) about my concerns regarding the mercury contained in compact fluorescent bulbs. One of my chief concerns was in respect to safe disposal. This past week, I read that the City has made specific arrangements for disposal of these bulbs so I want to say Thank You! and Bravo! for accomplishing this initiative so quickly. On another matter, I read an article in last Friday (Oct. 12)’s Mercury about off-leash areas and the Manager of Parks thoughts on providing fenced off areas for this purpose.
My partner and I were absolutely thrilled to read of this possibility. As, I am sure, is my friend who lost her beloved dog this past April when she and her dog were attacked by a large, off-leash dog here in Guelph (I’m sure you all remember the incident).It’s true that off-leash areas are visited by countless responsible dog-owners and well-behaved off-leash dogs. Unfortunately, all it takes is one irresponsible dog-owner and/or one potentially vicious off-leash dog to create a tragedy – as we’ve seen in Guelph several other times just this year.
Also, unfortunately, dogs can’t read signs so, with our currently unfenced off-leash areas, dogs can’t possibly know where the off-leash boundaries are and, as such, they often cross those boundaries into areas where they are supposed to be leashed. Sometimes these dogs will come right back when called… sometimes they won’t. Consequently someone who doesn’t own a dog may simply want to walk in an area outside of, yet adjacent to the off-leash area, but will think twice or avoid the area completely because he/she doesn’t want to risk being bitten, attacked, etc. – especially if with a child or a small on-leash dog. What gives this person less of a right to enjoy a public area of their city?
Fenced-off areas would be a very simple way to solve this problem and Kevin and I have been wondering for a long time now why these don’t exist in Guelph as they do in other municipalities. After reading the Mercury article, I phoned the Manager of Parks and he described his ideas for the off-leash areas. We believe that his ideas are fantastic, well-thought-out, and much much better than what currently exists – for all concerned. What the Manager of Parks described is win-win for both dog-owners who want an off-leash area and for those people who would like to enjoy a city park while, at the same time, feeling confident that they, their children, and perhaps their on-leash dogs won’t be jumped on or attacked by an off-leash dog as my friend and little dog were.
Another friend of ours, a taxpaying Guelphite, cannot enjoy any of Guelph’s parks or trails, even sidewalks, as she is basically afraid of all dogs and, in Guelph, the off-leash rule is being horribly abused. Of course, she is not alone in her fear. But regardless of whether someone has a phobia, a small dog they want to walk without fearing for its safety, or if they themselves simply want to enjoy Guelph’s green areas without worrying about ill-behaved off-leash dogs, they should be able to do so! Why should their right to enjoy a city park be superceded by the right of dog-owners who want off-leash areas but don’t like the idea of fences? Isn’t a compromise in order?
On that note, I also read today’s (Oct. 18) Mercury editorial opposing fenced off-leash areas but I believe that if the Manager of Parks had a chance to describe his ideas (as I assume will be done via the newspapers and public consultation), most dog owners would agree that the fenced-off areas he recommends would in no way inconvenience them or their dogs; as a matter of fact, the Manager of Parks ideas for these areas sound much more dog-friendly (and environment-friendly regarding waste) than what now exists. At the same time, these fenced-in areas would be much more considerate to those who prefer to enjoy Guelph’s green spaces relaxed in the knowledge that the dogs they encounter will be safely on-leash. Truly a democratic solution.
In a perfect world, all dogs would be perfectly behaved and all owners would be responsible. But as it’s not a perfect world, we rely on rule-makers we elect to help us along. My partner and I hope you agree that this initiative will benefit all of Guelph’s citizens along with visitors to our beautiful city. We believe that the Manager of Parks has really come up with some great ideas. RR