To the Editor:
Since we moved from Kelowna in March of 2017, I have come to believe that a large percentage of people in Keremeos (population approximately 1,500) own at least one dog. My husband and I own two small dogs and walk them twice a day on the street and/or on the dike and along the way meet many other dogs with their owners.
I am absolutely appalled at the amount of dog excrement that is evident in the course of our walks, both on the dike (right in the middle where people walk and at the side of the path), on the streets (both on the main street and on the side streets), and in Pine Park. Do those people not understand how unpleasant it is to see such a blatant lack of respect for our community and its inhabitants, not to mention the distinct unpleasantness of stepping in it.
It is no surprise that dog owners get a bad rap when this type of behaviour is so prevalent. Our village supplies doggie bags and receptacles for disposal on the dike and it does not take such a big effort to pick up after your dog and allow the rest of us to enjoy our walks in our beautiful Keremeos community!!
Perhaps some of the people not picking up after their dogs feel that because this is a rural community it isn’t necessary to clean up after their dog(s) but that is simply not true. We all need to take responsibility and clean up after our own dog(s). I am getting very annoyed and tired of doing your civic duty by picking up after your dog(s)!!
Thank you for allowing me to vent my frustration over this matter and I hope that my message is received and processed by all the guilty parties and they all clean up their act.
Sincerely,
Margaret Wouters
(new citizen of beautiful Keremeos, B.C.)