The reports lays stress on the damage to trails it says is done by dogs. Yet the District of North Van has accommodated mountain bikers scandalously. Mountain bikers are so destructive to ecosystems that they might as well be riding tractors.

I have walked my dogs for 35 years on North Shore trails and I can prove with photos and video that dogs run straight through mud puddles on trails; it is humans who skirt the puddles by breaking and trampling the bushes on either side of the puddle.

On March 14th I wrote this letter to the District of West Vancouver:

Re: Aubrey Schneider

For the last two months Mr Schneider has been walking and rehabilitating, through behaviour modification methods, one of Animal Advocates Society’s rescued dogs.

In the past decade the importance of dogs in our society has increased dramatically. If one accepts that this is a positive benefit to a civil society, then legislators such as you have to make rules that reflect the desire for dogs to be an integral part of society.

Some of these dogs require the behaviour modification that Mr Schneider provides. I have found Mr Schneider’s experience to be of inestimable value in the rehabilitation of our dog. The dog has made remarkable progress toward being highly socialized and a delightful addition to the canine population. My experience with Mr Schneider and this dog has shown me that he has complete control.

In my opinion, Mr Schneider is trustworthy and I would not hesitate to recommend his services.

Judy Stone, President
Animal Advocates Society of BC
West Vancouver, BC