The Editor,
Re. "Keep bears and dogs safe" (Letters, The Tri-City News, April 13).
The Nadort family's experience struck a cord with me as we, too, are nursing our beloved yellow lab back to health after a similar incident recently.
The vet believes, during his daily walk in Mundy Park, our dog likely came into contact with garbage a bear dragged into the forest. It is terrifying to find out something as innocent as his walk could have cost us a member of our family.
Mr. Nadort's letter also draws attention to a very real concern for many residents of Port Moody who happen to live adjacent to Coquitlam. The city of Coquitlam does not have locking, bear-proof trash containers. As a resident of Port Moody, a city that made the correct determination that automated collection and secure containers are in everyone's best interest, bears continue to frequent my yard on the way to the neighbours' garbage.
All people living in the Tri-Cities have chosen to live where they will interact with nature. As a result, they have a responsibility to secure their garbage. If this source of easy food for the bears were inaccessible, these powerful creatures would decide to roam elsewhere. What will it take for the city of Coquitlam to help put a bear-proof lid on this trash problem?
Derrick Holdenried, Port Moody
