Hi Everyone,
Meet Charlie!
He is now 15 and a rescue dog taken in as a year old, by our longtime supporter and former President, Sophie Lever. He’s a bit deaf, but he and Sophie like their morning walk before work. Only today, it didn’t turn out so well, as there was an ‘altercation’ with another dog off its lead. And the results were dramatic and upsetting.
Now, in sending these messages, I don’t like to ‘finger wag’ – as we all have our moments when we wonder – what could be the harm in bending the rules, just a bit. And us ‘dog owners’ all love our dogs.
But the point is, could you please just keep your dogs on their leads when walking around Twin Waters.
It’s worth saying again: there are no leash free areas here. For those you have to go to Mudjimba.
A slightly edited version of Sophie’s statement and part of a post TWRA made earlier today on Facebook to try and spread the word.
So, the point here is to say to fellow members, we understand you all mostly do the right thing – but if you can encourage your friends who might not be members, to remember to keep their dogs on the lead for that brief time of the walk – then that could be a real positive – and avoid both hassles and the possibility of real harm.
Here is Sophie’s statement:
I have a 15 year old border collie cross, a timid rescue dog we bought as a 1 year old. He is deaf and has very painful arthritis. We are not sure of his history but the 14 years of love and nurturing and attempts to socialise has not been able to undo the damage done.
Every morning I take Charlie for a walk around our beautiful estate and without exception we come across a dog off-leash. This morning Charlie was attacked by such a dog. It’s not the first time. My dog was on a leash and defending me and himself. Dogs are unpredictable. I have complete control of Charlie, always on his leash, until he is attacked.
Everyone is aware that there are no off leash areas in Twin Waters. This knowledge should make me feel safe to walk my dog without being set upon by another. As ‘friendly’ or as well behaved as your dog may seem to you, my Charlie is very afraid of other dogs and will defend himself and me when approached.
A calm beginning to an otherwise stressful day has been taken from me.
It doesn’t end here.
Council website below:
https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/search?query=off+leash+areas&collection=default&month=&year=&type=
Kind Regards
Mark Hamlyn
President
