I am writing this letter in response to the Warfield Dog Bylaw article in the Friday, December 16 edition of the Trail Times (“Village asked to keep tight leash on its dog bylaw,” Trail Times, Dec. 16).
I have been a resident of Warfield for over 15 years, and a proud dog owner for the majority of that time. Currently I have three dogs of varying breeds and sizes. I walk my dogs frequently, and am very strict about having my dogs leashed at all times while walking.
Unfortunately, I have had a few problems over the years with “loose” dogs in Warfield. Often times, the “loose” dog is actually out for a walk with its owner, unleashed. Numerous times, the leash is actually in the hand of the owner, while their dog charges towards myself and my dogs. Somehow, people think that simply having a leash with them makes it acceptable to let their dog run free while on a walk in Warfield.
Having full control of dogs on leashes is the only responsible way to walk a dog, and that control has helped me to avoid some possibly harmful situations. It is also the law in Warfield.
I myself had to alter my usual walking route a few years, as a particularly aggressive dog on Kipling Street would stalk and attack other dogs being walked. Phone calls to the village office remained unanswered, and I was forced to change my walking route to avoid more attacks. I believe that same dog still does roam free along Kipling Street, unfortunately.
Interestingly, my current walking route travels right past the Rottweiler’s residence on Whitman Way, and have had nothing but positive encounters with this dog over the past five or so years, he has always been restrained, either with a chain, or fenced in a kennel.
The owners have proven overall to be responsible people who do not want anyone harmed, and I, for one, will continue to walk this route with my dogs feeling comfortable that the situation in the Dec. 16 article was an isolated incident, and the owners of the Rottweiler will continue to be as responsible as I feel they have been over the past number of years.
Debby Durkin
Warfield