Recently during my walks on the lakeshore wildlife sanctuary trail, I have noticed how many people either do not read, or choose to ignore, the well-posted usage guidelines that make it very clear dogs are not welcome. This beautiful area is a designated bird sanctuary, a place for birds to thrive, designed to protect them from threat or harm. Stating the obvious, there are many other beautiful places in Salmon Arm for dog owners to walk their dogs. Although some of the dogs I meet are on leashes, that does not make it any more acceptable ? the sign does not say that dogs are allowed on leashes, or dogs are allowed if owners remember to scoop the poop (which to make matters worse, many dog owners don’t do).
Rather, in big red letters it is clear to all who enter:
Dogs and motorized vehicles are not permitted.
Clearly, ‘dogs are not permitted’ means no dogs! Day or night, morning or evening, winter, spring, summer, fall: No dogs.
As the sign clearly states, it is up to you: “Thank you for your co-operation in keeping pets out of the sanctuary.”
Shelagh Lytle-McGhee