Richmond - The Editor, Re: "Off-leash problem probed," News, May 14.If City of Richmond staff wanted to embarrass themselves by a lack of research and context when reaching a conclusion, they couldn't have done a better job than that expressed in their recent report to City Council on off-leash dogs.Equally astounding is the city's role in creating the problem, without any acknowledgement on their part they've done so.First, as thousands of Richmond dog owners know, the city has a serious lack of dog parks.Consider that the City of Vancouver, with a population of just over 600,000, has 36 off-leash areas within the city's boundaries.Richmond, with a population hovering around 200,000, has six.In addition, you to have to drive to get to them.In Vancouver, you can walk from almost any neighbourhood and reach an area where your dog can run.Second, and this is where the city really fell down in their research, they failed to note how many people using the West Dyke at any given time were dog owners; they only counted dogs.Nor did they count who else was using the dyke at any give time. If most users of the dyke at a given time are dog owners, then maybe those users should be accommodated.This is a major point.Most people using the dyke, especially in the morning hours, are out there because they have dogs. Go out there on a rainy weekday in the winter and they're the only people out there.The city's report also shows a complete lack of insight about the numerous benefits of dog ownership, not just for owners themselves, but for the entire community.Numerous studies have documented how dog ownership facilitates social interaction, reduces loneliness and promotes civic engagement.As one study noted, it's a ripple effect that extends far beyond the dog owners themselves.The City of Richmond acknowledges dogs need off-leash exercise - they say so on their website.And city staff got one thing right - more people, more dogs.What they're mistaken about, is what to do about it.Lori YoninRichmond
