Editor:
I was walking on East Beach this spring, the tide receded, negotiating tidal pools, aware of surroundings, or humans and their off-leash dogs.
I noted a middle-aged woman with a large dog, of the bull breed, in my sight. I suddenly heard the dog bounding towards me, while deliberately facing eastward at my leisurely pace.
I’m familiar with the energy and excitement of dogs off-leash, in this atmosphere of freedom and the magic of sea, sky and sun. This canine bumped into me, circled, made lunges at my legs and arm.
Next, I was on the hard sand, screaming, “Get this dog on a leash.”
The owner nonchalantly said, “Oh, he’s just a puppy and gets excited,” and walked away obviously distracting her charge.
Not a word to the 70-odd-year-old woman truggling to right herself.
Another passerby with a dog approached and asked if I was OK. She had witnessed the encounter.
Aborting my walk, I made my way to the beach logs to sit and breathe.
I waited for the return of the duo, so I could get the licence of the vehicle and inform the police, but no such luck.
Notice to beach lovers/walkers: It depends on the dog breed, the responsible owner and their ability to control the dog if off-leash East Beach is safe for all.
E. Fitzpatrick, White Rock