Saanich Parks has spent a lot of taxpayer money, time and effort engaging in public consultation via surveys, town meetings, etc., trying to develop an updated strategy regarding dogs and parks.

The B次元官网网址渟tatistically valid/representative surveyB次元官网网址� of community members was conducted to B次元官网网址済ather input about existing park use, community priorities, and the challenges and benefits of shared use of parks by people and pets in Saanich.B次元官网网址�

The survey results are very favourable towards dogs in Saanich parks, despite some questions being worded in a way that encourages negative responses.

Page 11 of the survey summary reveals that positive feelings about dogs greatly outweigh negative ones among respondents:

86% of respondents agree that B次元官网网址淒ogs are a welcome part of the community.B次元官网网址�

83% agree with the statement that B次元官网网址淚 have mostly positive experiences with dogs in B次元官网网址� Saanich.B次元官网网址�

79% agree that they B次元官网网址渉ave mostly positive experience with dog owners in B次元官网网址� Saanich.B次元官网网址�

78% agree that they are B次元官网网址渃omfortable with dogs being present when enjoying open spaces in the community.B次元官网网址�

So, we have a valid survey in which responses are mostly dog-positive. Why then is SaanichB次元官网网址檚 public narrative about the survey results so anti-dog?

Instead of citing the majority of positive responses, the emphasis is frequently placed on the negative ones, creating a false impression of widespread problems with dogs in Saanich parks, when the opposite is true, according to the survey.

Clearly, there are environmental and other concerns that need to be addressed. What I donB次元官网网址檛 agree with is the likelihood that Saanich will go way beyond that and make major changes to our parks, including implementing serious restrictions on off-leash dogs, or even outright banning them.

Lots of money, lots of time, lots of effort to accommodate the very small percentage of Saanich residents who have issues with dogs. Should the proverbial squeaky wheel continue to trump the facts on the ground?

Corinne Dulberg

Saanich