Editor: This is regarding  recent letters sent to the Township mayor, council and 91原创 newspapers regarding off-leash walking trails for 91原创 residents and their dogs.

There have been responses from Councillors Charlie Fox, Bob Long, Mel Kositsky and Grant Ward, but no word from the other councillors or the mayor of 91原创 Township.

Campbell Valley has been given to the equestrian population of 91原创.

Joggers and walkers can go wherever they want, but not our dogs.

We are not allowed to  have our dogs off-leash on Houston Trail because of the possibility of harm to the environment. What about coyotes and bears?

In Walnut Grove, there is a small, totally inadequate dog park that is muddy and over-crowded and often there are fights between dogs, so very few pet owners still use it.

There is Derby Reach off-leash park which is a bit larger, but still very crowded and often the scene for more dog fights.

There is talk of Aldergrove Lake park being re-designated to allow some off-leash areas, but that means a 50 km return trip from Walnut Grove.

The new trail from 208 Street to the Fraser River is a great walking trail but is not designated off-leash, so that we can let our dogs have some real exercise.

This trail would be ideal for dogs and their owners.

Please give us a chance to show how responsible dog owners will protect and care for this area if we are given an opportunity to use it as an off-leash walking trail.

Other municipalities in the Greater Vancouver area have designated great trails for off-leash walking, why can鈥檛 91原创 do the same?

There are over 20,000 registered dogs in 91原创 and this number is probably a very low estimate.

Dog owners are residents, taxpayers, voters and responsible citizens of 91原创 Township and we feel that we should have a say in how the trails of our neighbourhoods are used .

Hopefully we can come to some kind of agreement on this matter.

S. Burgess,

91原创