Dogs need fun

We were surprised at the tone of Jill Evans' letter last week in opposition to the dog park, and we feel we can address her concerns.

The city of Whitefish has about 93 acres of park land. To set aside a few acres for a safe and legal space for dogs to be off-leash is a good idea for the dogs, dog owners and non-dog people alike. Leash laws are important, so is responsible behavior regarding pet waste. Part of our campaign to raise funds for the dog park will include ongoing education for responsible dog ownership and park use.

As for the "noise, litter, property damage, parking, traffic," we realize these issues need to be addressed, as they would for any other area, public or private. Trash cans and parking are part of our plan.

Dogs are generally too busy having fun to make a lot of noise; this has been a surprising fact to many people around dog parks. An exercised and socialized animal is less likely to be frustrated and barking nonstop in a fenced yard.

We hope anyone with concerns will be willing to talk with us, as we want this to be another positive venture for our great community.

Barb Brant

Whitefish