Let's all be more tolerant

Re: 'Why do Torontonians need to put dogs before other people?' Letter, March 5.

To the Editor:

I find unfortunate the level of intolerance (of the letter writer) for dogs and I suspect their owners.

First of all, there are currently almost no off-leash parks in Etobicoke. The closest are in High Park and Rennie Park, and none west of Jane Street. Although there are a couple of applications in the process.

I'm not sure where the complaints come from, but the writer must frequent High Park or other parts of the city.

Secondly, as with most things in life, I am sure there are few dog owners who do not clean up after their pet, but I can assure her that by far, and away, most do. So I find the hyperbole she uses in the letter, about the state of cleanliness in our Toronto parks and the alarming number of dog maulings, amusing.

Dogs are social animals, like some humans, and really do enjoy interacting with other dogs. Some larger breeds like sporting dogs such as retrievers and setters need a lot of exercise when they are younger and the only way most owners can exercise their pets adequately is off leash parks. Also, a lot of dog owners enjoy the chance to socialize with dog owners.

I think the only way to enjoy living in a large city such as Toronto is to respect others and be tolerant instead of wanting to change the rest of the world.

Michael Boyd

Editor's note: There are existing off leash parks in south Etobicoke. Colonel Samuel Smith Park recently opened as an off-leash area, and the first off leash park is in the green space of Lakeshore Collegiate's field, although that will soon be resicinded.