Growing up on a farm, I observed neighbour’s dogs kill our chickens, lambs and calves.
These were all family pets. The RCMP had the dogs put down, despite protests from the dog owners that these pets could not do such things.
If one would check a dog’s DNA, it would spell ‘wolf.’ There is no dog DNA. Therefore, when a dog barks at swans, ducks and grebes, or snaps at weasels and squirrels at the edge of a trail, they are doing what comes naturally.
Most dog owners I know are shocked the trail might be opened to dog walking, as they see the potential for damage to flora and fauna. Yes, flora. When dogs urinate on flora, the urea damages plants and trees, as well as leaving scent markers that strikes fear into the many animals and birds of the park. Feces as well; even if cleaned up the scent is still there and spread by many human and animal feet.
On a personal point, there are countless trails in Salmon Arm – all open to dog walking.
Just a thought – maybe some people, or many, would like at least one trail without dogs.
Finally, Coun. Alan Harrison’s idea to open the trail for a year to dogs is unworkable.
Who will police it? Do we have a biologist come in and survey the wild wildlife before and after, and will the city have employees monitoring leash lengths?
Please dog owners, leave this one for the wildlife. Better the trail be dug up, rather than go into an area of unknown outcomes.
Jim Hauser
