I would also like to express my, and some of our other dog-walking friends concerns ["Town is going to the dogs," The Chief, March 6]. I do believe the district is making an effort, the fact that they have responded to last year's wildlife concerns with a mandatory bear-proofing program of our garbage containers stipulates that.
Hopefully not too many Squamish residents are using the recycling bin for their garbage as that would defeat the purpose of these programs. That being said, is there enough effort being made by our district? Of course not.
Is there a district in the country that could make that claim? I doubt it. In the case of leashless dogs, this is a concern, and until the district approaches that problem with same vigour as our bear problem, it will continue. Almost every time my wife and I take our dog out we are approached by an unleashed dog or two.
After many incidents where some of those dogs became aggressive, our dog has now become skittish every time there is a unleashed dog approaching her. In our experience, it always seems to be the same people over and over, many that turn a blind eye even when they see other dog walkers anxiously dealing with their unleashed dog. Why have a leash law if it isn't ever enforced?
Fines to the same offenders will get their attention. Unpaid fines and late fees could just be added to next year's dog license or property taxes. I believe the main problem is that there is just not enough man or womanpower to deal with all the complaints. From experience, I've found animal control to be very good and thorough.
Because of volume, we just need to be a little patient sometimes. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and as long as us concerned dog walkers continue to voice our concerns, follow through and report offenders before it's a child being mauled instead of our pets, the district will respond. I believe that.
There are many places in our area to have dogs unleashed, but our busy neighbourhood streets and daily used trails aren't the place. We will just have to wait and see.
Joe Wright
Squamish
