Linda Hall.
Today I'm going to have a little moan. I don't like moaning (although I'm sure Mr Neat would disagree with that statement) but there's something that's been bugging me, scaring me and frustrating me for ages now.
It's a subject that we get texts and letters about and I've touched on it in previous columns.
Actually perhaps I should call it an appeal rather than a moan.
Yes - I want to appeal to dog owners to please, please keep their dogs on leads when they are on the iWay walking and cycling tracks.
There are signs everywhere on the tracks making it clear that dogs need to be on a leash at all times.
I am alway courteous when I'm riding or walking.
If I'm coming up behind someone on my bike and I know they haven't heard me I call out "coming up beside you".
If I'm walking I make way for bikes, it's easy.
The cycleways are a place for everyone to enjoy and that goes for dog owners.
I had a good strike rate on Friday when I went for a ride.
I came across five people out with their dogs and three of them had them on a leash.
That's unusual. Usually the majority of dogs are wandering way ahead of their owners or are off to the side of the tracks.
It is scary when you come across an unrestrained dog.
Even if owners are sure their animals won't hurt anyone, if they don't have any control how do they know?
Dogs are unpredictable, and can react out of character if they get a fright or think they are out of their owner's control.
They are like naughty children sometimes. How many times have you seen a dog running away from its owner when it's being called?
I've had some rude answers to my questions about restrained dogs.
If I come up behind an owner and the dog is way ahead I always ask if it will be all right when I bike past.
I've had "You'll soon find out" or "it wouldn't be off the leash if I didn't think so". Well mate you might think so but I don't know so.
One day I came around a bend and there were five dogs running freely.
Way back from them were two people strolling along having a good gossip.
As they got nearer so did the dogs.
I stopped and waited for them to see me and call their dogs.
But no, they ignored me. I called out "are your dogs okay"? No response. So I just sat their holding my breath while the dogs ran past me.
I've had dogs come running over to me while their owners called for them, thankfully none have had a go at me yet.
People shouldn't have to worry about dogs when they are on these tracks.
There are plenty of things to worry about on the road but the tracks should be safe.
There are places to go where dogs can run freely - take them there, they will love you for it. Right that's my moan/appeal.
Now to change the subject.
This makes my 'appeal' very trivial.
Police are appealing for sighting of the car which is sought in connection of the abduction of 5-year-old Shekinah Relies-Skipper.
The schoolgirl was snatched off a Palmerston North street on her way to school on Friday.
Her sisters who were with her yelled and screamed and tried to stop the man.
Luckily Shekinah was found two hours later.
This is every parent's worst nightmare.
These girls will never want to walk to school again and who can blame them.
This creep is still on the loose - he's still out there going about his business while a family is utterly traumatised.
The car is a late model white Nissan Maxima.
Keep your eye out for it people. Palmerston North is not that far from home.
- Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today.