Editor:
Irresponsible dog handlers need to change their ways.
It’s most annoying and even frightening to be charged at by a barking dog, but it happens too often on our otherwise peaceful trails when I take a hike. “Oh, Rover won’t hurt you,” says the dog owner. But I don’t know your dog and I had a miserable childhood encounter with a snarling dog that chased me, so I’m shocked each time. Get it? The excuse I got the last time this happened a week ago at the Kinnikinnick trails when I protested his lunging animal was: “This is an off-leash park.” Rule of thumb for all you dog handlers: If Rover doesn’t immediately run to you when you call him the first time, he needs to be on leash. I now carry dog repellent spray and won’t hesitate to use it the next time, so be forewarned. Enough is enough! And by the way, pick up the poop your pet left on the trail as well!
Jurgen Dankwort, Sechelt
