Further to Annie Booth's letter urging owners of large dogs to make your opinions known at the ongoing off-leash open houses: I encourage everyone, whether or not you are a dog owner, to do so. I attended the open house on June 8, and I found the experience enlightening and refreshing. I have spent roughly half of my 33 years in Prince George as the owner of a large dog, and a similar amount of time without a dog. That, plus many years of involvement's in city trails and parks and writing about them in books and newspapers, plus the occasional experience of being on the receiving end of an uncontrolled dog during extensive walks around the city, puts me in a fair position to comment on what the off-leash committee has come up with. Contrary to Dr. Booth's assessment, I think the committee has done a fine job in striking a balance between conflicting needs through a forward-looking plan that will lead to a significant increase in off-leash areas in the city while respecting all users. I would have no problem exercising a large dog under this plan, and if I needed more I would find a place outside the city where I would not be in conflict with other people or wildlife. There are many off-leash areas proposed throughout Prince George, and I encourage everyone to look at what is planned for your neighbourhood as well as major city parks and trails that you are familiar with, and offer support or suggest changes as you see them.
Mike Nash
Prince George
