Dear Editor:
I am responding to the April 12 "Mailbox" item concerning observance (or lack thereof) of dog-walking bylaws. We are responsible dog owners who diligently attempt to follow signage, pick up after our dog and so on. That said, the design of the Dundarave Seawalk dog walking area is so impractical as to virtually ensure non-observance. The "split" design prevents dog owners from keeping their dogs on leash or under control. It also makes it difficult if not impossible for owners to pick up after their dogs - and from the condition of the dog lane it is apparent that few if any do.
The design also puts dogs at risk of straying onto the railroad track, with no ability for the owner to intervene. If the city wishes to enhance the level of legal compliance, I'd urge them to take another look at the design of the walk, hopefully with an eye to putting dog walkers and their dogs on the same side of the fence. If separation is required, make that from the other users of the Seawalk instead of the dogs.
Perry L. Edwards, North Vancouver
