Dear Editor,

ON SUNDAY, August 14, while jogging in the National Park, I noticed a gentleman on bicycle with his pitbull running alongside, being held on a leash. However, when this gentleman entered the park, he stopped his bicycle and reached down and unhooked the dog. He then resumed riding, with his animal roaming free about 15 feet behind him.I watched this scenario with great surprise, fear and nervousness. As he passed me, I asked him about his silly action, and his response was, “Nah! He [the dog] good!” Mr. Editor, I am not sure what “good” in this instance means, but I do know what a potentially dangerous situation is.
Dog owners need to realise that their animals react differently to strangers. Over the years, we have had reports of some vicious pitbull attacks in our country.
I am calling on the management of the National Park to implement leash laws to protect the citizens. The park is, on a daily basis, filled with both adults and children; and we simply must not allow silly, reckless dog owners to threaten our safety. I am also calling on our government officials and members of the legal fraternity who frequent the park to exercise to use their office to ensure we are kept safe, not only in the National Park, but also in other public spaces. There should be very harsh penalties on silly, negligent and reckless owners of vicious animals. Please let us not do the Guyanese thing of waiting until the proverbial horses have bolted before closing the stable door. A stitch in time saves nine.
Regards,
MIKOOWANYAH YOSEF-YISRAEL