I am fed up, having just come back from walking my dogs and being accosted by yet another off-leash dog.
Words cannot describe how infuriating it is to be a responsible dog owner in a city ripe with irresponsible ones. I simply don’t understand why anyone would think it is appropriate to even take their dog off leash in a public place that is clearly marked with signs that say, ‘please leash and clean up after your dog.’
We are lucky in Maple Ridge to have multiple off-leash dog parks, which is why I find it so baffling that people could be so inconsiderate. I have had several dogs try to attack my leashed dogs, while their owners are nowhere to be seen. I do not want to meet your strange dog, and neither do my dogs. I would like to be able to take my dogs for a walk without having to deal with such ignorance.
As an owner of two Pitt bulls, it amazes me how much bad information has been circulating about so-called aggressive dogs. As I previously mentioned, my dogs have been attacked many times by random dogs, most of which were ‘family dogs’: retrievers, poodles, labs, even a Chihuahua. Never by a ‘bully’ breed.
What ever happened to common courtesy? If you insist on taking your dog off leash in an area that is not designated for such, at least have the common sense to head somewhere secluded where you and your dog can enjoy the freedom. Otherwise, leash-up and allow everyone the opportunity to enjoy public areas.
D. Atkinson
Maple Ridge