It’s outrageous that the 600-plus parks in the city don’t allow dogs (“Dogs Not Allowed”, June 2). I understand that some morning/ evening walkers have problems with dogs but it is not impossible to come to a peaceful solution. Walkers/owners should act responsibly while taking dogs for a walk in public. They must carry pet waste scooper or even an old newspaper or a garbage bag.
It is not right to walk dogs on roads where there is a lot of traffic, pollution and chances of it being attacked by strays.
I strongly believe that dogs should be allowed in some parks, if not in all. At least certain parts of the parks can be earmarked for walking dogs, at least at certain times of the day.
Our four-legged friends must have some fun in their lives. They also have a heart and we do not have the right to make it joyless for the benefit of a few people.
Ayush Bhattacharya
Dogs need exercise and a considerable amount of it, not just for health reasons but to maintain a balance in their behaviour. A well-exercised dog is less destructive and more friendly than one which is not.
Most pet dogs in urban areas live in cramped homes with barely enough space to move. Such a dog hears the command “no” most often from its owner. We stop them at every step. It’s important that at times, we let them “be dogs” and not expect them to behave like robots that sit, stand and eat the way we want them to.
I was in Bangalore for about 12 years and it’s as congested and busy like any metro. On top of that, Bangalore has more strays than any city in India. Hence walking a dog on the road is challenging. The green boards with bold letters reading “Pets Not Allowed” are also there at many parks but there are a select few where dogs are allowed to be brought in to walk and play.
Calcutta can take a similar approach. At least two out of every 30 parks in an area should allow dogs. It won’t hurt morning walkers too much. However, dog owners should also be more responsible and carry a poop scooper or trash bag to ensure that the parks remain litter free and no one is inconvenienced.
It’s time we change the rules a little to bring a little happiness in the lives of those who are and will always be our best friends.
Arnav Chatterjee
We should be more sympathetic towards our canine friends. I see many people harbour unreasonable fear and hatred for dogs. Contrary to what many of us believe, all dogs are not aggressive. They can be great companions and provide a lot of happiness in this stressful life.
In my opinion, all parks should have an area for dogs to walk and exercise in.
Suvechhya Pal
Joka
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