As a senior and a recent owner of a puppy, I have been very interested in the various opinions/comments regarding the use of off- leash areas in Cochrane. I have to say that I think they are a wonderful opportunity for dogs to be able to run free and mix and mingle with other dogs. Socialization at a young age is critical for a well behaved dog. However, they are not without their problems. I was horrified to learn about the cyclist hitting a dog in an off-leash area and simply riding away without stopping to see if the dog was injured. I do not take my pup to an off-leash area that is not completely fenced because I have had a couple of unfortunate experiences on the pathway system, with cyclists racing up behind me and narrowly missing myself and my leashed dog (does no-one have a bell anymore?). However, last weekend my husband and I were at the new. completely-fenced dog park parallel to Highway 22 when four young skateboarders came through the gates, just as we were letting our dog off his leash – and they left the gates wide open. Luckily, no dogs escaped out of the park – scenario that could have had tragic consequences given the proximity to the highway. I have also seen cyclists riding through this park which again is a recipe for disaster. Dogs running back and forwards after other dogs or catching a ball or frisbee are not out of control – this is the whole point of a dog park. I really feel that the town should put up signs in unleashed park areas that cyclists and skateboarders dismount. Actually, if bolts were put on the entrance gates (similar to the gate at the Riverfront fenced off-leash area), this would most likely dissuade cyclists/skateboarders from using the park due to the logistics of getting through them. Finally, as mentioned above, cyclists going high speeds on the pathway system are hazardous to all users. Are there no speeding laws for cyclists on the pathway? A couple of weeks ago a senior was killed by a cyclist in Calgary. Do we have to have a similar tragedy before something is done? Janette Cardiff
