Editor:
Did you hear the one about the Canmore leash law? Before I go off on a rant about leash laws and dog owners not picking up after their animals, I would like to thank all responsibe dog owners. Thank You for respecting the leash law and picking up your dogs droppings and properly disposing of them. Thank You for respecting the rest of us. I wish you and your four-legged family members many happy years of companionship, good mental health and exercise.
Now to the rest of you, and you know who you are.
What exactly is the rationale for disobeying laws and disrespecting your neighbours? I'm a little puzzled. Is it that the laws don't apply to you? Or is it that your dog would never chase wildlife. Or maybe "My dog would never knock over a senior who is struggling with reduced stability and balance"? Or perhaps it's "There are no cougars or bears around"? Or perhaps you just don't care about anyone but yourself?
I live in Three Sisters and walk frequently. In the span of any given week, I will see between four to 12 dogs off-leash and when I raise my phone to take a picture in their general direction the owners scramble to get leashed up and vanish into the nearest stand of trees or around the next street corner.
Guilty behaviour or did you just suddenly remember you had to be somewhere? I don't know how our bylaw officers could possibly enforce the number of violaters that are out there.
And finally, if your dog leaves a deposit on my yard and you do not pick it up and properly dispose of it – not just cast it into the bush – I will follow you home and leave a deposit on your yard. And I don't have a dog.
Darrell Miller,
Canmore
