Dawn Ogilvie, Claremont
My letter is to bring attention to the numerous dog owners who neglect to place their dogs on leashes in Keurboom Park.
For many years I have enjoyed walking in this park and recently have appreciated the new, wide brick-paved paths in the area.
On Tuesday March 8, walking in the late afternoon, I was forcefully struck from behind by a bolting dog, my legs suddenly knocked from under me, and after a moment suspended horizontally in mid-air, I crashed to the ground, taking the full force on my head and lower back. The young dog-owner was extremely apologetic and explained that her dog took fright, presumably caused by another unleashed dog.
However, her apologies did not lessen my pain and injury. I am still taking painkillers, unable to walk, sit or lie comfortably, and don’t envisage myself walking in the park for many weeks.
A loose, bolting dog is, in fact, a dangerous missile, particularly where the aged and small children are involved.
My friends in the northern suburbs tell me that dogs there are always walked on leashes because it is a by-law in municipal areas.
Animals are unpredictable no matter how well their owners believe they know them, and I wish to make a plea to dog owners to obey the by-law and keep their dogs on a leash in the park so that all may enjoy the park area.
