Dear Editor:
I go for countless walks with my little kids all the time. The other day we took a stroll down to the playing field in Kirkstone Park and as usual there was a dog on the field.
We moved to North Vancouver six years ago and accepted that this was the way it works around here even though there are at least five signs around the field that clearly state "dogs not permitted.
"However, I had to ask myself again: what is the actual bylaw and why does it get completely ignored? The dog owner was throwing the dog a ball and the dog was obviously enjoying it. He was very fast and throwing himself at the grass to catch the ball. I started to grow uncomfortable and moved closer to my kids just in case the dog decided to take a different route to his ball. He was joined by three dogs from different owners and a small fight started. Now I was growing really uncomfortable and worried so I did what I have never even thought of doing before - went to the closest dog owner and nicely asked him to take the dog out. He left without a word. I moved to another owner and did the same thing and to my surprise I got a few minutes' of swearing and insults.
I am not an aggressive type and after listening for a bit and trying to understand where he was coming from, I took my kids and left the playing field, not willing to be yelled at any further.
That felt weird to have to leave from a place that was created for kids and leave a dog behind that is not allowed in there.That made me ask the question after many years of living here: Why do we have this law? And how come it is not being enforced? How come there are countless dog owners every single day that break that law and it is OK?
Elena Cernicka
North Vancouver
