I think people need to know that there dogs MUST remain in sight. For all I know these dogs had escaped from the adjacent neighborhood as there was no one around. And if they are out of sight, they can't be controlled by the owner, this is what I really complain about. Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: <JRiverPk@xxxxxxx> To: <va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 10:28 AM Subject: [va-richmond-general] Re: barred owls Paul Sorry to hear about the comment the lady dog-walker said to you about not using leashes. Tje law is simple & clear: youmust have a leash with you if you have a dog in the park. I f a dog bothers any visitor ... or chases wildlife ... it must immediately be put on-lead. That is what I say to every9one I meet when the issue of leashes is raised; I insist on it when I see a violation. Except for one incident 15 years ago, I have never been given a hard time, angry remarks, snide comment or oven an objection. The rule is eminently reasonable and everyone I have met feels it is both sensible and appropriate to the needs of the different user groups. Obviously, there will be some violators. It used to be that visitors routinely stole wildflowers; that doesn't happen very much any more. The change came about, I believe, because of a much higher level of understanding and appreciation. We put up signs, yes, and I did stop a couple of folks, but the real enforcement came from visitors telling other visitors that it wasn't the right thing to do ... and that it was damaging ... and inappropriate ... and against the law. Change takes time --- especially when there is very little money or manpower for law enforcement. Perhaps, in the long run, that is a good thing. The answer to all our problems shouldn't always be more laws and law officers; we don't want to live in a police state. I thin we should work for a society in which we create, encourage and and maintain high standards of behavior. We can live in a civil society. It just takes time and effort to learn to get along. Ralpnh You are subscribed to VA-Richmond-General. To unsubscribe, send email to va-richmond-general-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. To adjust other settings (vacation, digest, etc.) please visit, //www.freelists.org/list/va-richmond-general. You are subscribed to VA-Richmond-General. To unsubscribe, send email to va-richmond-general-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field. To adjust other settings (vacation, digest, etc.) please visit, //www.freelists.org/list/va-richmond-general.