DEAR EDITOR:
Re: Pooches need room to roam, The Record, Oct. 12.
As a former dog walker, and frequent visitor to Moody Park, I feel that the city would be making a huge mistake. Moody Park has always been people friendly, and was the one community park that I felt safe enough to walk my friend's dog. Even then, small dogs were often off their leash.
Dogs are on a leash for a reason. In my experience, it's because they do not heel, and don't obey commands to return. Dog owners that allow their dogs to be off their leash call this "socializing their dogs". My friend's dog is a very sociable family pet and doesn't need to accost other dogs and their walkers to prove anything.
Whenever I walked my friend's dog, I was often accosted by a small dog that was off leash. I guess that the irresponsible owners thought that because their dog was small, the possibility of being found and fined was worth the dog's temporary freedom.
Then there's the very real possibility of dogs fouling the lawn, as well as the loss of a grassy area, which would be the least of the problems.
There are plenty of off-leash dog parks, which reasonable dog owners can utilize. Please leave Moody Park as is.
Caroline Moore, by email
