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£1 - 4 Reader's Viewpoint Reader annoyed about letter, L Dear Sir: Angry, no, jult a little annoyed. When Ms. Sandra Theriault took the time to write a letter to the editor of the Port Perry Star why could she not take the time to research her information? Phrases like "rumour has it" have no place in a letter of this nature. As an Ontario hunter safety instructor, Ontario fisherman and hunter, and a participating member of the North Amer- ican Versitile Hunting Dog 'Association, I. feel I must clarify some of the points brought out in Ms. Theri- ault's letter. 1. Thisisaruralareaand in rural areas people make their living by raising animals. When domestic dogs run loose, they tend to destroy and torment these animals. May I refer you to page six Port Perry Star April . 2, "Dog Kills 75 chickens." Yes, there is a reason for people other than law control officers to have fire arms; to protect. their property from dogs. Perhaps the strongest reason is that "good citizen' hunters, trap- pers, and competitive marks- men enjoy owning and using firearms, just as good citizens enjoy owning and working with their dogs. 2. "Thereisnoage require- ment for guns of any kind." The Criminal Code prohibits selling, giving, etc. a firearm to a person under 16 years wha is not the holder of a permit. The permit referred to can only be issued by a law enforcement body. In order for a person 16 to 21 years to hunt, he or she must take a hunter safety course and then pass a written and practical test administered by the Ministry of Natural Resour- ces. If a person is 21 or over and can not prove previous hunting experience, he or she must pass the Ministry's test before a gun license can be issued to them. Of course, there are more rules and regulations, however I will not go into them as it would" take "too much time and space. 3. Gun Control: The Town- ~ ship of Scugog has one of the strictist by-laws in rural Ontario. It is By-law number 90-74. I would suggest read- ing it. If you see someone breaking it, it is your respon- sibility, to report infraction. 4.-1t all boils down to a problem of personal respons- ibility. The majority of gun owners are responsible cit- izens. The Ministry of Natural Resources is trying tq weed out those who would not be responsible. Perhaps . it would be a good idea, if béfore anyone could pur- chase a fire are (which includes air and spring-oper- ated weapons) he would be required to have a valid gun license. Now I guess it's time to return to the real problem, responsible dog ownership. Perhaps we should make our dog owners take a test to demonstrate that they are capable of being responsible. Why do I say this? Let me give you some statistics found in the March 24th issue of Newsweek: - 1. The cost of treating dog bites runs to 50 million dollars a year. the . 2. 60 per cent of bites involve children 15 years old and under. Of this number 40 per cent are pre-schoolers. 3. 85 per cent of dog bite episodes involve privately owned pets, and nearly half occur within one block of the owner's home. 4. Only 2 per cent of bites are the result of deliberate provocation. Why the bites then? Dr. Alan Beck, of New York City's Bureau of Animal ~ Affairs and other \_" match above) 'and that's no rumour experts think that the area in which a dog is habitually allowed to roam comes to be regarded by the dog as an extension of its owner's pro- perty and thus, the dog's sense of territoreality is being exhibited, I don't think our concern is one of children being shot, but one of children being mauled and defigured by our loveable family pets. "It's 11:00 o'clock, do you know where your dog is?" Eric C. Fletcher * rN aA a ga DRE Tota > SERA RT BEER IEA REELS SW CHT GES SSR SIA, A) For the past ten weeks, 17 Mothers from the Scugog & Uxbridge areas have been meeting in the Anglican Church Hall toshare a unique experience. As we all know, there are courses for everything from oil painting to fixing the family car. Until recently there has been nothing for the Parent. The skills of parent- ing were apparently thought: tobe given to us automatical- ly with the birth of a child. _ Family & children Services (formerly the Childrens Aid) recognized this fact and did something about the situation. Mr. John Hawkins, Special Services Co-ordinator for Family & Children Services has been the leader of the PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, April 23, 1975 -- 5 A Thank You to Family And Children's Services group. Initially, it was thought that probably the most res- ponse that could be expected from the area would be 6-8. By word of mouth the number quickly swelled to 17 and made it ncessary to have two discussion groups. The group has been study- - ing the book 'Raising a Responsible Child' which takes us beyond the theory of being an effective parent into . the area of dealing with specific problems. , Inthe discussion groups the members have felt free to tell of their concerns and to get strength from the others. Finding out that you aren't the only one with that prob- lem is a tremendous help. You also came to know very quickly that in order for the child to be responsible you . had to perhaps change your way of doing things. The challenge of what has been learned will be put to the test as the group is now going to take a break for a few weeks to test the methods explained in the book. Later, they will come together to discuss the problems they met. After all we have yet to see a Parent or da Child react exactly the way the "book" predicts. To Family & Childrens Services and John Hawkings, May I say a huge 'Thank You". Thope others will have the opportunity to take this . course. A Thankful Member. Yes, its Spring again and time to do those jobs you've been putting off all winter. TEMPERED. INSULATED. \ Sliding Glass Doors ~~ by "WOODOOR" 5' Sliding Door 6' Sliding Door 3' Sidelights $349 1389 5199 _/ FLINTKOTE TILE 12" x 12" 26: 'sr RAN Y od : > PANELLING Rustic Pecan Oak Panel Charcoal Grey Barn Board 6.50 6.95 6.95 CARPET by Barrymore - Caravel e Splush 1x2" 1x3" 1x4" 2x3" 2x4" SPRUCE STRAPPING 4 in. ft. §15¢ lin. ft. 7° lin. ft. 10° lin. ft. 13% lin. ft. DRYWALL 4x8 x %" *3.62 DRYWALL TAPE 250" roll $1 50 OUT CORNERS 8 ft. 92¢ ea. Franklin Fireplace and Grate 1329 Screen $16.50 KE SCUGOG 235 WAITER ST. - 985-7391 - DRAMEX Texture Finish 25 Ib. $4.95 Bag 10 1b. *2.95 hte yonder, ~ XE TIRES CHS . S804 FLOORING assortment $485 PORT PERRY