Keep dogs leashed – Resident begs dog owners to uphold bylaws
WHAT began as a leisurely walk in Delta Park for Craigpark resident Teresa Richards and two friends ended in sadness and anger.
The trio came across an injured guinea fowl, and were told by another woman that she saw two large dogs attack the bird.
“The bird didn’t look like it was badly injured. It was lying there, breathing heavily. We couldn’t leave it, so I picked it up to take it to the vet. Unfortunately, the bird was in such shock that it died in my arms,” said Richards.
She said their sadness quickly turned to anger at the “brazen disregard” many dog-walkers have for the city bylaws that state, “No person may permit any dog to be in a public space unless it is kept on a leash and under control of a person.” The bylaws, however, do make an allowance for unleashed dogs – but only if they’re within an area designated by the city council in which dogs may run free, and that “no person may without reasonable grounds allow a dog in his or her custody or under his or her control to attack or put fear into any person, animal or bird” (City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality Bylaws Relating to Dogs and Cats).
“I have seen dogs running in the Braamfontein Spruit, chasing after ducks many times. Some might think this is cute, but I think it’s disgraceful that people who own dogs and walk them unleashed have no respect for the environment,” said Richards.
She is not the only resident to have had a nasty experience involving unleashed dogs along the Spruit.
In July, Leigh King’s daughter took their three dogs for a run along the waterway. King’s border collie was attacked by an unleashed dog being walked by a gardener. The collie bolted, and King’s daughter spent two hours searching for him.
The dog was later found injured and sheltering at a home in Richmond Avenue.
City Parks and Zoo spokesperson Jenny Moodley said that the city bylaws required all dog handlers to keep their dogs on leashes at all times in all public open spaces.
“This is for the health and safety of all users of public spaces, and for the safety of the dog. Many owners have complained that their [unleashed] pets drank contaminated water or were attacked by another dog that was off its leash,” she added.
