Editor:
I have lived in Rosedale for 11 years now and have frequented your Centennial Park to play softball, go to the gym, walk my dog in the off-leash area and walk around the beautiful trail system. It is a treasure, but there are so many people with off-leash dogs that it is not safe.
When I am not in the off-leash area, I have my dog properly leashed (following the posted signs and by-laws of the area.) However, I am clearly outnumbered by those with off-leash dogs with many of them not picking up their dogs’ waste. I have been stalked, with dogs charging up to me barking and being aggressive while the owner calls out “come here ….he’s friendly.” Meanwhile, the dogs continue to approach.
This winter, I almost fell as a dog ran up to us barking aggressively and I frantically tried to keep my dog from tripping me with the leash. Recently, I had a dog stalk me all through the park, finally approaching me aggressively. He began to growl and actually lunged at my dog. I had to shove the dog and yelled at the owner to “put his dog on a leash.”
This was not the first time I have yelled at people. Your park is a gem, but there needs to be some enforcement of the laws or I will have to go elsewhere, which is not right as we should all have access to a wonderful area.
Thank you.
Paula Stubbings
Rosedale