Caught, But Not Willing To Change

So the snow has returned but Spring is just around the corner. The breaking clouds and blue sky were the background for a beautiful walk today. But that's not really what I want to write about.

This weekend was a beautiful weekend and a busy time in Inter-River. There was a running race going on, mini-soccer in the lower field, young riders in the bike park. Which also lead to dogs on the field, dogs in the bike park,... you get the idea. Now don't get me wrong they all seemed well behaved. Anyway, Jack and I decided to take our weekend route along the service road, just above the gauntlet and then make our way behind the upper field. That's when we ran into the by-law officers. It was from a distance, but waving a leash at me was a pretty clear communication that I was out of the off-leash area. I complied as Jack generally walks next to me anyway through this area. But as we made our way back down to the back path between the service road entrance and the bike park I decided to throw the ball a few more time in the grassy area. As we came about to the parking lot at the lacrosse box I put Jack back on his leash.

I spotted the by-law vehicle again and noticed from the top of the hill down to the lower field that all the dogs at the bike park were now leashed and with there parent owners, out of the bike area. As I walked down the hill the by-law vehicle circled and approached me. Seemingly they saw that last ball throw....

But I didn't get a ticket. (Have you ever heard Arlo Guthrie explain the significant of the pickle in his Motorcycle song... for some reason that comes to mind). The rather large by-law officer gave me a speech about how I seemed to have a well behaved dog and he also noticed that I I was generally law abiding as Jack was wearing his licence, but he let me know that they had received complaints of problem dogs in the park. He also said, reminding me, that the only off-leash area was the lower side along the river. And by not leashing my dog I was reflecting that it was okay to be unleashed in this area.

He was absolutely right. And, I was wrong.

Hmmm......... but... If everyone had well behaved, somewhat trained (comes when called, heals) dogs then would there be any problems? Because I have to admit the reason I take this route is because of the number of people that have out of control dogs but are in the off-leash area. As a matter of fact Jack has only been attack, had his ball stolen, been mounted, etc, in the off-leash area. And the people I meet as I walk outside the off-leash areas share similar stories. One woman walking with her elderly mother and their dogs tells a story of there older lab being attacked so badly that they had to carry the dog out. And the person who's dog attacked them gave a fake phone number so she was in for the entire cost of the vet bills. I've watched dogs terrorize small children by the river while their owners are no where to be seen, somewhere on the upper path... oblivious to the screams of these children. I've been bitten because I stand, and now Jack moves, between Jack and dogs that look to be a problem. The owners reply, "Well, he's on leash!" A 20 ft leash. (And why is it that I seem to be the only one who recognizes "Crouching Tiger - I'm about to attack" stance).

So to the by-law officer, you are absolutely right. But until you start educating people on what 'off-leash but under control' means, maybe a few Saturday's handing out pamphlets and doggy treats and answering questions, I'm going to continue taking the safest route for both me and Jack.