Correspondence Re: Use of Public and Parkland - Letter from Brigitte Johnson
Letter from a resident voicing concerns about commercial dog walkers using neighborhood trails and requesting stricter enforcement and limitations.
Dear Mayor and Council of View Royal,
I am writing you this letter to voice my concerns about the use of public and parkland in my neighborhood. I live in the rural area of Herbate Rd backing onto Thetis Lake Park on one side, and the Highlands on the other.
Due to the seclusion of my neighborhood, and yet proximity and centrality to greater Victoria commercial dog walkers have all but taken over these trails. One commercial operation for example, runs two truckloads of dogs through the trails twice daily. This is just one of the dozen commercial dog walking companies that use our neighborhood daily.
I am an avid hiker, and have two small children. I have had to stop using the trails in my neighborhood after countless dangerous and terrifying encounters with packs of unleashed, vicious dogs at large, at the hands of commercial walkers. I am one of many neighbors who have been ‘run out’ by commercial dog walking. These dog walkers are using this area because of the lack of public use; they count upon not encountering public when they have 10 or more dogs at large.
On any given weekday there are numerous commercial dog walking vehicles accessing these trails by way of Westoby Rd. One walker will typically have upwards of 10 dogs off leash. I have had these packs of dogs running at me, jumping on me, attacking my dog, and terrifying my children. I cannot risk this any longer, and it is unjust that I should stop making use of the public and parkland in my neighborhood for commercial benefit.
I am asking that the animal control officer visit the area on a regular basis and begin enforcing the animal control bylaws. I am also requesting that this issue be brought before council, and some limitations be placed upon commercial dog walking in View Royal. A fair example might be that one walker not be permitted to have more than 5 dogs; 2 at a time off leash.
I look forward to seeing the animal control officer in my neighborhood in the very near future. I anticipate hearing from you about a date this issue can be brought before council and discussed. I also very much look forward to having this issue remediated so my family can use our neighborhood as we had hoped when we moved to this rural area.
Sincerely,
Brigitte Johnson