Humans have rights, even with pets around
Re: “Leash mandate seems odd in this little village,” letter, July 4.
What a ridiculous comparison; Saanich is not an English “rural village.” Rural villages or not, dogs need to be leashed at all times to protect them, and others, from unwanted and sometimes, dangerous behavioural intrusions.
Just ask someone who has been bitten by one!
Yes, it is irresponsible dog owners who are ultimately responsible for this situation but let’s not forget that dogs, leashed or otherwise, do not always behave.
As a user of our trail system where dogs are sometimes leashed, I get sick and tired of having to negotiate my bike around retractable leashed dogs that cut across the trail while their owners aimlessly walk along.
They look stunned when I yell out “Pull your dog in.”
Another favourite refrain is “Don’t worry, he/she doesn’t bite” as the dog leashed or not runs towards me.
Even worse are unleashed dogs that bound towards you when you’re walking and you don’t know what they are going to do; again, accompanied by the stupid refrain “Don’t worry, he/she is just being friendly.”
I don’t want that kind of friend, thanks.
Dogs are loved and valued companions for many of us; however, owners must remain vigilant when they are off their “at home ranges” and remember that these are animals, not human beings, and their unwanted behaviour cannot always be controlled.
A leash helps and I think that the well-being and rights of people trump those afforded to pets.
John Stevenson
Victoria
Responsible people keep dogs in check
Re: “Leash mandate seems odd in this little village,” letter, July 4.
Kudos for this sensible letter pointing out the fact that dogs are not mandated to be leashed in the royal parks of London.
Having visited my cousin in Richmond, Surrey in London, we have walked her dog in Richmond Green (anyone who watches Ted Lasso will recognize the large park across from his favourite pub!)
Leashes are not required and people are responsible for their behaviour and waste management.
By and large, people here are responsible and there seem few incidents that would require this overly controlling and unnecessary obsession with dogs on leashes.
Even my vet says dogs need space to walk and run independently.
Why is it that the minority of opinions on this subject seem to have the most say?
How about cracking down on speeders on Beach Drive and non-helmet wearing bikers who pick and choose when to follow pedestrians rules rather than those of the road?
I dare say, they outnumber the “bad dogs”!
Mary Dales
Oak Bay
Don’t blame the dogs when they misbehave
Re: “Leash mandate seems odd in this little village,” letter, July 4.
I wonder if the situation has improved since I lived in a good-sized, highly-cultured English city years ago.
On the rare warm day, the smell of dog feces was overwhelming. On one very disturbing day, my toddler slipped and landed in a runny version of dog feces. (To say I was annoyed is an understatement.)
I like dogs very much and have had dogs, on occasion, since childhood. Unfortunately, not all humans are good dog owners and many are not good dog trainers, making their dogs a nuisance to others trying to enjoy public grounds.
I don’t appreciate a dog approaching and jumping on me, even if friendly, for example. This is not the fault of the dogs, but it is what led to the use of leashes.
Deborah Crawford
Saanich
Democracy has suffered in Saanich’s dog decision
Unfortunately my partner just had to put down her dog down so I have no “skin in the game” per se, but I do love dogs.
Upon reading the many letters it appears this Saanich council, led by Karen Harper and Zac de Vries, appear to not understand the meaning of the word “democracy.” By eliminating around 80 per cent of the off-leash areas they have ignored the huge majority (as noted by Colin Plant) of Saanich citizens who objected to this proposal.
Might I suggest that dog owners can and should reacquaint the current council with the meaning of the word democracy by ballot box.
Wayne Messer
Saanich
Who was that woman dressed as a man?
Crossdressing has a long tradition in Victoria, as can be seen from the following article extracted from the British Colonist of April 26, 1862:
“Who Is She?
“The mysterious female who delights to exhibit her fair proportions in male attire and rejoice in her ability to ride in public astraddle of a horse is reported to have been seen again on the Esquimalt road yesterday.
“She was attired in a light cashmere coat, knee breeches and a high black hat. Her long hair was very neatly turned under. Accompanying the mysterious female was another feminine, who seemed to possess a little more modesty — not to mention decency — than her companion, and sported a lady’s black riding habit.
“The pair visited the camels, and it was while they were inspecting the little stranger which came to town the other night that the gait and carriage of the disguised female betrayed her sex to several bystanders.
“After spending a few minutes with the camels, they re-mounted their steeds and rode leisurely into town. Who they were, or where they came from is a mystery, but the one in breeches is said to be the lady who astonished the Esquimalters by her appearance among them in a similar costume about two weeks ago.”
The camels are another story.
Ken Johnson
Colwood
Saanich and Victoria amalgamate? No thanks
I’m strongly opposed to Victoria amalgamating with Saanich. I came to Canada in 1965 and have lived in Saanich for all but one year of that time.
I grew to love the city of Victoria and its history. I am disgusted with what has happened to Victoria in the past decade.
The city has become a nightmare for local businesses and many are being forced out on a regular basis. The security situation has deteriorated beyond belief.
Land-lift from overdevelopment has driven the rents so high that many small business owners can’t afford the rental overhead for their businesses.
The treatment of heritage has been disgraceful and the city’s Old Town is rapidly disappearing for the quick profits of unscrupulous construction interests.
What does Victoria have to show for all this? There is nothing that I can think of. So, what is the benefit then for Saanich amalgamating with it?
Where are the pros? Some will say that we might save some money on administration costs, but will that really happen? I doubt it.
The cost of living in Victoria has gone through the roof. With Saanich emulating that model is anyone under the illusion that the situation will turn out any differently?
Josephine Marshall
Saanich
Martin Mars is coming home to Pat Bay airport
It may surprise some people to learn that the Martin Mars aircraft based at Port Alberni was actually resident at Patricia Bay airport for some years before being converted to a fire bomber and sent to its base at Port Alberni.
They were originally built by the Martin Aircraft company in the 1940s as American troop and freight transports during the Pacific war. Much more can be learned online about these marvellous machines.
In that configuration they were furnished with hundreds of relatively comfortable seats. I salvaged one that had been removed during their conversion to a water-carrying role. I thought the seat would be a great addition to my den.
However the years went by and I did nothing with it as it lacked a proper floor mount, so I donated it to the B.C. Aircraft museum at the Pat Bay airport.
Hence by being added to the aircraft museum collection, the aircraft can be deemed to being brought home.
David Smith
Victoria
Protect Saanich Inlet with assessment
It is very disappointing to find out that Environment Minister George Heyman has decided that no environmental assessment will occur for the Bamberton projects.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy states in their own report that it’s “responsible for the protection, management and conservation of B.C.’s water, land, air and living resources.”
Why then is it not requiring an environmental assessment to be done?
The Saanich Inlet Protection Society has done extensive work over the years to keep our inlet safe. They’ve researched the many problems that may occur in Saanich Inlet’s fragile ecosystem if this does not happen so why not do an environmental assessment just to satisfy them and the many other concerned citizens? What is the harm?
Heyman has passed on his duties and responsibilities and expects permits to be issued by the Ministry of Mines, the Ministry of Forests and the Cowichan Valley Regional District to do the job of protecting Saanich Inlet.
This is not satisfactory. We urge Heyman to reconsider and do the job his ministry is mandated to do.
Dianne Twamley
Willis Point
Give George Jay School a significant name
Re: “Canada Day was ‘Humiliation Day’ for Chinese immigrants,” column, July 2.
Thank you, Monique Kieran, for explaining the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923. Some of those excluded were British citizens of Chinese descent, even some who were born in Canada. Only 44 Chinese immigrants allowed to enter over the next 24 years!
This reinforces my opinion that the school which George Jay named for himself should now have a name significant to Chinese Canadians.
The school board referred the renaming to local First Nations. Given the history, I hope they will show an example of reconciliation by asking that this particular school have a name meaningful to all.
Alanne Gibson
Victoria
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