Dear editor,
We walk our dog off-leash frequently in the Northeast Woods behind Highland Secondary School.
There is a rumour that the Town bylaw officer has been issuing tickets for off-leash dogs in that park. Here's a reason why this park should be off-leash.
Last Sunday morning, we had just left the parking lot to walk our older golden retriever when he suddenly took off behind us. To our surprise, he returned running about 20 feet ahead, chasing a cougar.
The cougar ran up a tree while we called our dog back. If our dog had been on-leash, we would not have been warned that this predator was so close to us.
Every off-leash dog in that park is friendly and well-behaved. As town dwellers, we appreciate the benefit of exercising ourselves and our pets away from the noise and pollution of the streets.
We socialize our dogs there as responsible owners and as a result, our dogs are well-mannered and happy.
In my experience, some dogs on-leash are prone to be either aggressive out of fear or hyperactive because of too little exercise. We will not leash our dog in that forest, not only for safety reasons but because a healthy dog needs the freedom of being off-leash.
J. and G. Wierenga,
Comox