JUST when I think things are looking up and dog owners are beginning to act more responsibly, something absolutely absurd hap- pens which make me wonder what end of their bodies these par- ticular dogs’ owners have placed their heads.

Case in point: Last Sunday afternoon I was Icav- ing the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (for- merly called the Seymour Demonstration Forest) after working with an advanced obedience class.

The sun was shining, it was warm, life was good.

As I drove along the dusty gravel road that leads out of the forest, I noticed a line of about fifteen or so

cars driving very slowly head-

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ing towards me.

T didn’t think much more of it until 1 got closer and realized what was causing the traftic line-up.

Whar I saw shocked and appalled me so much that |

sad ro stop and do some- thing.

The lead car, a red station .

wagon was driving slowly because they were running their Australian cattle dog along side of the car.

Picture this: The owners were inside stuffing their faczs with fast food french fries, the dog was outside

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north shore news

PETS License the net owners as well as the pets

and there is a line up of traf- fic on a busy gravel road behind them.

Now, do TF really have to point out how stupid this is? If there is anyone who is reading this, and thinking, “Hey there’s nothing wrong with that!” take your head out of your butt right now and give it a good whack! (Your bead not your butt.)

All it takes is for the guy at the end of the traffic line to get frustrated because he doesn’t understand what’s going on, and pull out and pass the line of traffic.

Just as that happens, little Jacko, the Australian cattle dog, darts out to the middle of the road and Smack! This Aussie really is down under!

Not only thar, it is tern- bly selfish of the owners of this dog to hold up traffic because they are too damn lazy to exercise their dog in a safe, responsible manner.

Oncoming traffic may not

pare erer er tee cs

Wifes 6m. Ta

see the dog until the last sec- ond and if they don’t hit the dog, they may hit the brakes, possibly causing an accident.

Ifyou have ever tried to stop suddenly on a gravel rou! you know chat it is like skidding on marbles.

These people are also negleeting their dog's health.

They can’t possibly keep an eye on their dog to sec that it doesn’t strain a mus- cle, step on broken glass, get hit by flying rocks from pass- ing cars or overexert itself as it tries to keep up with the car.

These people should not ;

be allowed to have a dog! There, I said it ... Pm sure Pi get flack over this.

Ie seems as though I am not the only person who feels this way, though.

John is the oyner of Topaz and a former student who e-mailed me his frustra- tions with a few suggestions of his own.

5 Short or og shee. =: : wait iat -

Sunday, October 10, 1999 — North Shore News - 23

With his permission | chose to include them in my column because I think he has a valid puint which should be heard. You go guy!

“it?s time to license and train owners, not se much re ts.

“A written test about the importance of commitment, attention, ( responsibility ), having an animal live with yau and the cost (involved) in your time and money, should be filled out by prospective owners.

“Training should be mandatory, then people will make the right decision when choosing to bring a pet into their lives.

“At the moment there is not much in place to curb these owners who have no control over their dog's actions.

“Bylaws have to be stepped up and money talks . when you're slapped with a

hetty fine.”

License the owner and the pet. To get a licence, vou should have to write a test and prove vou are capable of being a responsible dog owner.

A great idea, but also a shame to think that the level of irresponsible dog owners has gotten this bad.

The simple truth is, thac the people who need to change their ways aren’t reading this,

They feel the rules do not apply to them.

They deny that they're the cause of the problem.

After ail, it’s easicr to make an excuse than admit a wrong.

— Joan Klucha is the owner of Sierra K9 training on the North Shore. For advice or training tips reach Ger through the North Shore News or e-mail her at <sierrak9@be.sympati-

‘co.ca>. Letters and. comméats

to the editor ave welcome. 2