I cannot count the times I have gone for a relaxing walk in one of our beautiful parks in Oakville only to be accosted by a large dog on the loose. The pet owner is usually close by encouraging me to pet the "harmless" charging dog saying, "Oh, he won't hurt you."

People, wake up and realize that the entire population does not wish to interact with your big scary dog. I am a lifelong dog owner and all around pet lover, but I have also been bitten by dogs whose owners would have sworn their precious Rover was harmless before their first spell of bad behaviour. It is an animal, you cannot be sure what it will do.

To those who swear their dog is harmless I ask, would you feel comfortable with a loose dog charging at your three year old? Think about it -- and while you are pondering, remember that no matter how much we love our pets -- people come first.

Beth Macdonald