Glebe Report - Volume 8 Number 1 - January 1980

Dogs
GE PIVE L. for
Scapegoats?
o t11
pinio
Farley Mowat said "...the dog has now become the scapegoat for the
pollution, overcrowding, diseases, noise, food shortages and a score of
Please try to
other disasters urban man has inflicted upon himself. I was reminded of
limit the length
that when I read the anti dog article in last month's GLEBE REPORT,
of your letters.
given front page treatment.
We suggest 250
Apart from the fact that it is ludicrous to compare the dog's
words maximum.
contribution in any one of these areas to that of man, it's a certainty
We love to get
that such articles encourage needless hostility between neighbours. Beletters
but
cause our concerns and values are often quite different, those who have
we're short on
the public eye must never promote intolerance of such differences.
space.
People who don't have children must not be intolerant of their neighbour's
children. They must accept the noise, they must share the burden of
schools, social services and even the cost of vandalism. In the same way,
non pet owners must accept that house pets are an important part of te
family structure to many people, and must recognize that dogs and eatb
are a source of love and joy to young and old, individuals or families,
in our society. Therefore innuendo which impliesthat dogs (or cats) are
a health problem, only causes needless fear and is a further dividing
force in the community.
Winter Activities
Public health is far too important to make dogs a scapegoat to divert
Although I am not a resident of the Glebe
public attention from the man-made causes of sickness and death which
area, the December issue of the GLEBE REPORT
threaten us.
hasreached my desk. I was most impressed with
Anyone who makes an unbiased risk/benefit appraisal will find that
the content and presentation of this community
house pets improve human health and promote stability in families. Dr.
newspaper and I would like to commend you on
Boris Levinson, Director of Child Psychiatry at Queen's, New York, says
your efforts. In particular, I was pleased to
that house pets provide good companions for children and can prevent
see your use of the map of the Hog's Back area
children from becoming delinquents. Pet therapy is proving useful for
and related information on cross-country skiing
people of all ages, and there is greater use of this to correct health
provided through the cooperation of the Commissproblems
caused by stress. The useful and active life of heart patients
ion and the City's Recreation Department.
can be extended by pet ownership, according to a study at the University
I would like to think that you will call on
of Pennsylvania; while Dr. Frank Faulkner said that dogs make healthier
the Commission for any similar information from
companions for children than other children,
time to time. In this respect, the Winterlude
As most people know, but writers of anti-dog articles always fail to
events to be held primarily on the Rideau Canal
point out, dogs and cats save human lives, from death by drowning or fires. ,rom February 8 to 17 should be of interest to
They discourage burglars, assist law enforcement in bomb and drug detect- your readers.
ion, and provide eyes for the blind and ears for the deaf, and companion- E.C.Aquilina
ship for the old and lonely. Since there is proof that pet animals bene- General Manager
fit society, why this constant and harmful put down of animals?
National Capital Commission.
Perhaps we can again find the answer from Farley Mowat, in his statement:
"Anti-caninism stands
as an attempt to transpose human guilt
-'na :esponsibility r ,
another form of life, and one that can't fight back. Fifth and Chrysler Stop Sign
Hilary Mackey
Vi Pres. Pet Owners United Inc. We are extremely concerned to learn in December's
GLEBE REPORT that Regional Transportation
has recommended the removal of the stop signs
at Fifth and Chrysler.
In discussing this matter with several of
our neighbours, it would appear that no one is
Walter Campbell Originals
aware of the complaints concerning these stop
signs. What reason does the Region now have
for recommending the removal of these signs?
Many of us remember the major problems we
had a few months ago when the Region tried to
reinstate major collector routes in our area
i.e. Fifth Avenue. Citizens who thought this
matter was closed years ago, had to fight again
for ground they had already gained.
Removal of the stop signs at Fifth and Chrysler
is the first step. Within a short period
of time, given the waythings seem to happen
between the Region and the City of Ottawa, we
will see other intersections affected and
possibly those signs all the way down Fifth
Avenue. It will then be too late - Fifth
Avenue will be a major route from the Canal
to Bronson.
Although we are aware that the stop signs at
Fifth and Chrysler are not part of the official
Glebe Traffic Plan, we have noted the way
decisions and regulations seem to be altered to
suit the needs of particular legislative bodies,
which serve different interests, i.e. the City
Vs the Region.
On behalf of the Bank and Fifth Residents
Committee, we wish to indicate our opposition
to the removal of the stop signs at Fifth and
Chrysler and we urge all those who are concerned
to contact Alderman MacKinnon.
Let's keep Fifth Avenue the way it is - we
don't need any more traffic.
783 Bank St.
't:f FUN-Ail-Or CAILLURY iLrID..
Sharlene Hertz
233,3730
5 Regent Street.
Cel)