Letters Letter to the Editor Loose and roaming dogs pose many dangers
Loose and roaming dogs pose many dangers
| Letters - Letter to the Editor |
Dear Editor,
Twice this week I have received reports of dogs deceased on the edge of the road. Both had owners who later called to see if their precious pet had been found and brought to the SPCA. It then became my job to break the unwanted news that a dog, fitting the description of theirs was found deceased.
It breaks my heart -- I can only image the grief these people must feel.
As manager at the Williams Lake Branch of the BC SPCA and working closely with our local vets, I have witnessed too many injuries. I have seen first hand the agony and pain a dog endures from the accident, during surgery and while recovering. We've seen broken legs, road rash so bad the skin is just gone, broken skulls and hips, and the worse possible, a lifeless body in the ditch.
(Please note: The dog in this photo is sleeping, not deceased.)
All are horrible to witness. I applaud the vets who work tirelessly to treat these unfortunate pets for injuries that are 100 % preventable!It is hard to comprehend why people who choose to bring pets into their families would place them in such danger by allowing them to run loose. Has it never occurred to them that something bad could happen?
As responsible dog guardians, it is up to each of us to provide a safe and secure yard, or even better, put a leash on ‘Fido’ and go for a walk. Isn’t companionship one of the reasons you have a dog, after all?
When dogs are allowed to run freely, danger comes in many different forms; a vehicle, another dog or even the wild animals who live side by side with us here in Williams Lake.
When I see dogs alone, I always wonder why. Are they lost, abandoned, or are they just doing their daily routine? I stop and try to catch them but am unsuccessful often. I then have to leave wondering if I will be stopping later to help them as they are laying injured in the ditch, meeting them at the vets in the morning, or worse, … pulling their mangled body off the road.
I hope that, as responsible pet guardians, we will all urge our family, our neighbours and our friends to do the right thing and to ensure our pets are safe and sound.
Walk your dog and pat your cat.
Liz Dighton
Manager at the Williams Lake Branch of the BC SPCA
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