Yesterday a friend and I went for a walk along the foreshore trail in the wildlife sanctuary.
As we were about to walk along the trail to Christmas Island, a very large American pit bull-cross dog caught up to us.
The owner, who I know, came along about 50 yards behind. I explained to him that we were in a wildlife sanctuary and dogs were not allowed. He replied that he didn’t bring his dog there in spring or summer when the birds were nesting, but this was his winter walk area, and off he went around the island.
It was late afternoon, about the time when most animals that live along there start being active. The owner of the dog was so far from it that had it surprised an animal such as a beaver, otter, mink, muskrat, all of which are seen there, it would have been dead before the dog owner had even realized it.
This is not the first time I’ve seen dogs at loose along there. When I asked a young woman whose large dog was running wild through the rushes by the water to get her dog on a leash, she replied she hadn’t got a leash with her. The area is not a dog park, nor a bird habitat, but a wildlife sanctuary. The directors of Salmon Arm Bay Nature Enhancement Society, which manages the sanctuary, strive to achieve the balance of nature with human activities. It is so frustrating when selfish people ignore the ‘no-dog’ rules.
This is the only wildlife sanctuary for miles around. Please don’t abuse it.
There are plenty of dog parks and many miles of trails where dogs are welcome.
Mike Saul