Showdown over dogs planned in Kelowna

Dear Editor;

Opinions are a dime a dozen. Do you ever wonder if yours counts?

Coming up on October 22, the RDCO board is going to hear a presentation by the consultant hired to study the RDCO Animal Control Department.

If you have an opinion regarding the RDCO in general, or the animal control department specifically, you count. If you care about dogs, or if you care about dog owners being accountable, or about the department treating people fairly, or about any of the services being given to the RDCO residents, if you want bylaw changes, or don’t.

Some people will be there for Diesel, some for Shadow, some for Mary’s, and some for others whose names we do not yet know, maybe never will. This meeting is not about one dog, or two or three, it is about all.

“The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation,” the British philosopher Bertrand Russell said. Coming out on Monday, October 22 is about people taking action, positive action, coming together, a cooperative effort to show you care, that your voice counts.

It doesn’t matter what side of the fence you are on or if even if you have a fence. You don’t have to stay for the entire presentation, just come from 630 to 7 p.m. if you want. The RDCO Directors can not ignore physical presence. You cannot be ignored.

This is about being seen, being a voice for those who can not. We have an underrepresented population in our community and country. They live with us, sleep in our beds, and sit with us in tears and in our laughter. They are our companions yet in policy, they are treated the same as a piece of furniture. In our community at least, can we not change that? Can we not stand up for them and say, it should be different?

You have that chance on October 22. It is not a large amount of time. It is about a half hour to an hour in duration. You don’t have to stay for the meeting.

Here is a chance where you can spend a small amount of time to send a big message. Please join me at Kelowna City Hall from 630 to 7 p.m. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. and goes to 830 p.m. I would love to see the area in front of Kelowna City Hall filled and people down the street.

Ninety per cent of any action is just showing up. I hope to see you there.

Julia Trops
Kelowna