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www.thevillagenews.co.za
22 January 2020
LET'S TALK
‘Self-righteous’ dog owners are disrespectful the spaniel.
I’m a regular visitor to Hermanus. My grandparents bought a house here years ago and I’ve been holidaying here with my family since before I could walk. More recently my parents relocated to Hermanus and my mother is a member of the Hermanus Botanical Society.
Yesterday I read in The Village NEWS about the man who had been bitten by a dog off the leash in a nature reserve (important to note that the owner said his dog doesn’t bite). According to the article this was a serious issue as the man had to go off his immune suppressants to give the wound a chance to heal and now runs the risk of having his new liver rejected.
On the morning of 17 January my mother and I were on our way back along the footpath from Boekenhoutbos in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve when we encountered a man and a woman with their three dogs coming towards us – a ridgeback, a spaniel and another large dog. None of the dogs were on a leash and as we came closer they growled and barked at us. When we told them that dogs were not allowed on the path they pleaded innocence and said they had not been aware of this.
I have to wonder what it is going to take before something is done about this issue – before someone else is hurt or before our delicate ecosystem is totally destroyed. It had been a beautiful morning that was soured by self-righteous dog owners who don’t have a problem with their dogs endangering and disrespecting the rights of other people, and believe they can do just what they want.
now had to be people like us here. But when we asked them to turn around because dogs were not allowed and this was a delicate ecosystem that was protected, the man became argumentative. He said he’d been living in Hermanus for 40 years (I had to wonder why he was then so blissfully unaware?) and that he regularly walked with his dogs on the path and could do as he pleased. He added what a pity it was that there
I then decided to take photographs of them, which the man was not happy about. He became aggressive and threatened me and my mother. When he came closer and looked as though he wanted to grab our phones, I became afraid and told my mother to carry on walking. The dogs were still growling at us as we walked past them and the woman had to restrain
This situation is harming the reputation of Hermanus and making it unpleasant for both visitors and residents who enjoy and care for our natural environment. I sincerely hope something can be done about this issue. Leana Rauch
Uncaring dog owners are spoiling Hermanus’s reputation The Hermanus Cliff Path was once again one of the most popular features of our coastline during the past summer holidays. Hundreds of people from all over the country and abroad made use of the facility every day. The Hermanus Cliff Path Management Group devotes many hours of voluntary time raising funds, maintaining the path and removing alien vegetation to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for all users of the path. It's such a pity therefore that the experience was spoiled by the actions of many dog owners. At
least one lady was bowled over by an unleashed dog and ended up with a broken wrist. But much worse was the large amount of dog excreta left on the path by uncaring owners. Several overseas guests (and their local hosts) were appalled (and embarrassed) that this sort of behaviour is tolerated in South Africa and it did our image as a top tourist destination no good. Leaving dog faeces on or next to the cliff path is anti-social, unhygienic, an insult to other users of the path and an environmental disaster. Systemic
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When walking dogs on the cliff path, please be courteous by walking them on leashes, and consider other path users as well as the environment. Dr Anina Lee Cliff Path Management Group
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Watering dispensation for the elderly I’m writing this as the chair of the Onrus Ratepayers Association and would like to inform the public about what, to my mind, amounts to discrimination against especially our elderly residents, of whom quite a number reside in my area. Several of our members asked me to please enquire from the municipality if there could be a dispensation for those of us who are retired, the only remaining pleasure for some of whom it is to still tend their own gardens. I have tried in various ways to communicate our objections, but without success. The insensitive attitude of the municipality is reflected in the following feedback that I received via email from our DA representative: I have already spoken to the Mayor and NO dispensation will be given for the use of garden hoses. Residents have to realise that, if we don’t have more rains soon to supplement the dam level, it could lead to a crisis in the new year. I have not watered my garden in two years and, to be honest, in current times a garden is a luxury.
Now I would just like to know the following, so that I can give feedback to my members: How does one justify such water restrictions that allow and enable younger, healthier people to water their gardens with watering cans and buckets, while making it practically impossible for the old and frail? Remember, it was pertinently said that you may apply for a dispensation but it will be refused. Which is indeed the case, as several people have already tried, without success. One of the ladies here in our retirement village had a fall while she courageously attempted, at the ripe old age of 94, to water her garden with a bucket. She now has to watch helplessly as her once beautiful garden dries up. Mr Mayor, please stop discriminating against the elderly and give them the right, within limits, to water their gardens with a hosepipe. Hennie Greeff On behalf of Onrus River Ratepayers Association
Keep dogs on leashes!
flea control products for dogs (such as Bravecto) are now widely used. This potent insecticide is excreted unchanged in the dog's faeces. Left on the ground (or flicked into the bushes) the insecticide will kill all insects that have larvae that live in the soil, such as dung beetles, fireflies, butterflies and other creatures that enhance our world.
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Healthy and robust debate are crucial for democracy. The Village NEWS firmly believes in freedom of the press as well as the right of individuals to freely express themselves, as long as they don’t infringe upon the rights of others. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors therefore do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Village NEWS. Letters may be shortened and/or edited for clarity and style. Enjoy our paper. Send your letters to dewaal@thevillagenews.co.za
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When are people going to observe the by-laws and keep their dogs on leashes in public areas? I've just read the horrific story about Johan Coetzee who was attacked and bitten by a dog, while in a separate incident a while later his cycling buddy was also attacked but luckily not bitten. Mr Coetzee sustained a 6 x 4 cm wound that will require a skin graft. Will the dog owner pay the medical bills? Probably not! I, my wife and our dogs (on leashes, as always) have also been the victims of a dog attack on Grotto beach, leaving my wife with a permanently injured finger and traumatised
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forever. The owner of the dog left the beach in a hurry with no apology. We've heard all the excuses: "My dog only wants to play" or "My dog just wants to say hello", but the best was the lady who told us, "It's always the dogs on leashes that are the problem." What sort of twisted logic is that? The cliff path and beaches are the jewels of Hermanus, bringing in much-needed revenue, but dogs are allowed to run loose and defecate as they please. What's it going to take for all this to stop? Noel McClune Voëlklip
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