EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is an open letter to the reeve and council of Central Manitoulin, printed here at the author’s request.
To the council of Central Manitoulin:
This is going to be a touchy subject—dogs. It either brings smiles to one’s face, or a jeer.
Our family has owned property here for generations. We love dogs and we love well-behaved dogs whose owners follow the rules. In this way there are no conflicts or problems.
We have a concern and question. Why is there no designated area on the Providence Bay beach waterfront whose we can safely let our pets enjoy the water with us? On these hot days it seem most unfair not to be allowed to enjoy our special times with them on the beach we love.
The bylaw states the boundaries very clearly, but when you read that bylaw there is generally no area we can swim—the only one is very rocky and slippery on the bottom and is dangerous.
Other provinces have designated places, some with the fences running out into the water to let people know that this is where it is legal to walk and let the dogs swim. Don’t you think it is time for us to join this forward thinking?
In our community we have a lot of tourists who come to enjoy the beach and bring along the family dog. Are we going to tell them not to? I don’t think so. We ask them to come and enjoy and relax and help support our economy.
A well-behaved dog and a well-behaved dog owner has not, and never will, be a problem to anyone. They know when to curb their dog, always will pick up after them and make sure that they are in control of their pooches at all times. This keeps them safe, as well as the general public.
I would hope that others who feel this way would send a letter to the council and maybe we can make a small change to comply with bylaws and enjoy our animal companions.
Thank you,
Sandra Morgan
Providence Bay
