Editor:
Re: Semiahmoo Park open ‘on trial basis,’ Jan. 21.
I find it entirely reasonable the Semiahmoo First Nation has put restrictions on the use of Semiahmoo Park. I’m actually surprised that such restrictions are not put in place at more parks.
And, I’m disappointed that the rules and bylaws that are in place are not enforced more regularly.
It’s often been said that a few bad apples among dog owners ruin it for everyone. I don’t know if there is any data documenting the number of dog owners in any geographic area. But based on my non-scientific observation in South Surrey/White Rock, there is no shortage of bad apples.
My family has a dog. We don’t go for a walk with him without a supply of little baggies. And we’ve familiarized ourselves with the complex operational instructions for those baggies.
Sadly, that technology seems to have befuddled many a dog owner in our area. Either that, or being a disrespectful dog owner is the trendy thing to be these days.
On another note, if some dog owners aren’t treating everything outside their door as their dogs’ toilet, they’re treating it as one big dog park. If some dogs aren’t leaving gifts on the ground, they’re running off-leash… in parks, in playgrounds and on sidewalks.
I thought certain areas were designated as “off-leash” so as to distinguish them from all other areas which are implied to be “on- leash,” but I suppose that concept is also too complicated for some dog owners to grasp. It’s no wonder, then, that Semiahmoo First Nation has seen it fit to place restrictions on the use of the park.
Unfortunately, all that will mean is that the disrespectful dog owners will simply take their business elsewhere.
The issues with dogs on the Peninsula is a microcosm of some of the issues facing society at large: some people are quick to assert their rights – in this case, for dog ownership – but are loathe, or too incompetent, to fulfill the consequent responsibilities.
S.K. Cheung, Surrey