Good, thoughtful insights, as usual, Ralph. Thank you for always being the voice taking the high road, directing our gaze toward the big picture. Isn't that what most of us want it to be about? Pam -----Original Message----- From: JRiverPk@xxxxxxx [mailto:JRiverPk@xxxxxxx] Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 9:33 AM To: va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [va-richmond-general] Re: barred owls Irene The dog issue is contentious ... and controversial. One of the ammenities of urban life is that we have plentiful, accessible and convenient park land. One of the features of our natural area parks is that pets are permitted. (This is differentiates them from the traditional English Garden parks -- those with expanses of grass and a few spreading shade trees --- where children roll on the ground or families lay blankets out on the ground and where contact with dog waste is a public health issue.) Although pets are expected to be kept under control at all times --- and the best way to do this is by keeping them on leash --- the truth is that many pet owners let their dogs go off lead at times "to let them stretch their legs"... to enable them to fetch sticks from the river ... to allow them to trot alongside a jogger, etc. If there is a conflict with another park visitor, with another dog, or with any wildlife, the onus for control (and for the cost of any damages) lies squarely on the shoulders of the owner who had the pet off-leash. Of course, the problem is enforcement. We have very little. We have no routine police patrols (and none of any sort on the back trails) whle the DGIF Game Wardens focus their attentions on the river and shoreline areas. By process of elimination, the Park Manger is the only government representative left to enforce the law. It is enforced by inspecting for the presence of a leash. Any visitor with a dog, but without a leash, is asked to turn around and leave. Sometimes they are escorted out. The park is a public space to which all residents are encourged to visit. Dog walkers are as welcome as photographers; birdwatchers as welcome as mountain bikers. Although there are inevitable conflicts between different user groups -- whitewater boaters cross over fishermen's lines; high-speed users like runners and bikers interrupt the pace and pleasure of low speed users like wildflower enthusiasts and wildlife watchers -- we must ultimately all learn to get along. It involves communication ... and compromise. If an unleashed dog frightens you, yell out to the owner and tell him, or her, so. Demand that the dog be put under immediate phyical control. If you are particularly sensitive about this issue, then carry one of those containers of pepper spray -- Fed Ex drivers and postmen al do. If the dog jumps up on you, spray him. If the dog is harassing wildlife, throw a rock or a big stick at him ... and speak to the owner. If there is a problem, call me. If its a big thing and you go to court, I will go with you. ...But the truth is that we seem to be doing pretty well, so far. User groups tend to stratefy by time slot ... birders earlier / dog walkers later. We should be able to share the same beautiful resource. with understanding and forebearance we all can get along. And, in the end, we must, if we are to have the JRPS be a vital and continuing asset to the City. Ralph 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. ************************************************************************** The information transmitted herewith is sensitive information intended only for use by the individual or entity to which it is addressed. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution, copying or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from your computer. 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.