A Aett&i.. • 
Chairman, Bird Feeders Committee, 
We applaud your raising the question you posed in 
the Nov.-Dec. f 73 issue of TRAIL & LANDSCAPE ( n Are dogs 
compatible with nature trails and feeders?"). Our 
answer is a resounding "No!" 
We, too, have noticed a decrease in the number of 
small mammals we used to see near the feeder on the 
west-end Jack Pine Trail. We have observed particu¬ 
larly the decline in weasels. We realize it would be 
difficult to establish a direct cause-and-effect rela¬ 
tionship, but we have also noticed an increase in the 
number of people with their pet dogs on nature trails; 
usually, the dogs are not even on a leash. 
We are in favour of an outright ban on dogs, whether 
leashed or not, from nature areas. Furthermore, we 
would like to see OFNC take a definite stand, to pro¬ 
vide leadership on the issue, after there has been a 
little more debate. 
We believe, subject to information to the contrary, 
that it is likely that the sound (barking and yapping) 
as well as the odor of dogs, even when on a leash, must 
disturb the mammals in their natural habitat. 
Why not keep pet dogs at home? If there is enough 
interest, special exercise areas for dogs could be set 
aside, but, please, not in, adjoining, or near nature 
areas. 
We would be interested in reading arguments on the 
other side and in bringing the issue to a head. 
Lucie Walker, Harry Walker 
(Mr. and Mrs.) 
50 
