I read with dismay the lead...
I read with dismay the lead article in the Sept. 5 Pilot (“Newport
can tighten leash”). No wonder Red Baron, the beautiful golden
retriever in the photo, looks so sad -- to be told by the city that
he can’t go for a swim without being on the end of the leash is a
very upsetting prospect, and one that seems so unnecessary.
This letter is not from a biased dog-owner, but just a local
resident who walks along the beaches and often sees dogs frolicking
in the water, not near swimmers, not fouling the water, not bothering
anybody -- so why do they have to be on a leash?
I hope the Pilot will have a follow-up article in which rational
reasons will be given for this restrictive ruling.
PAT PARSONS
Corona del Mar
This reminds me of the song/game from Sesame Street when my kids
were younger. It featured a group of items and one of them differed
from the others. It encouraged the young minds to pay close attention
to detail, as all the items looked similar, yet one definitely stood
out from the rest.
So, let’s play the game: Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach and Newport
Beach.
Which of these “things” is not like the other? Well, that would be
Newport Beach -- as Newport is not “local friendly,” but tourist
friendly, and these other cities have proven to be both. In what
ways, do you ask?
Look around. Both Huntington and Costa Mesa have or will have
skate parks and do not outlaw skateboarding as a form of
transportation. Both Huntington and Costa Mesa have dog parks
(Newport just tightened its leash law -- now dogs have to be on a
leash even when swimming in the ocean. Huntington even has a dog
beach).
I would draw the conclusion that Huntington and Costa Mesa place
great value in its year-round residents. Maybe the leaders of Newport
Beach should take notice and try to be like the others.
ROBIN SINCLAIR
Newport Beach
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