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Pets should not be allowed to run free

No dog should be allowed to roam free off-leash without some sort of control, namely a fence. That is our view and it is also the law in both Barrhead municipalities. And for good reason.

No dog should be allowed to roam free off-leash without some sort of control, namely a fence.

That is our view and it is also the law in both Barrhead municipalities.

And for good reason. Pets that wander around freely are at risk and one of those risks, at least if you live in the country, is being trapped.

We bring this up because we recently received a Facebook message from a relative of a person who lost their family dog to a trap — a trap meant to catch coyotes.

According to the Barrhead Animal Rescue Society (BARS), at least four other dogs in the area have met similar fates.

We sympathize with them. Our staff are animal lovers and there are multiple dog owners among us. And that is why we would never allow our animals to roam free.

Yes, we realize this is an agriculture area and many of the pets that live on farms and acreages are more than family pets. They are actually trained farm workers that are counted on to help protect their livestock. However, they are also animals, which often can’t resist the lure of a tasty meal that is located, if you believe some of the social media reports, just off the dog owner’s land, in some cases near residences and in the case of Crown land, near popular trails.

Although there has been a lot of debate whether this type of trapping, or trapping in general, is ethical we believe it is beside the point because whether or not you agree with the practice, it is unlikely it is going to change anytime soon.

As pet owners one of the responsibilities we take on is to ensure the well being of our furry companions. It is something that should not be taken lightly.

So we implore our readers that unless you are 100 per cent sure that your pet cannot be swayed by food, or one of the countless other temptations out there, we ask you not to allow your animals to run free. Again it is your responsibility to keep them safe, plus it is the law.

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