Sarah-Jane Lazarus, SJ Equestrian Riding School and Livery Yard owner
I run the local riding school, which is just across from the Alphen greenbelt and serves over 100 kids from our community and other nearby areas.
I wanted to share something important about the beautiful Alphen greenbelt, where so many of us enjoy walking, running, biking, and bringing our furry friends along.
Alphen greenbelt is a beloved space that brings people together, from dog walkers and runners to families with young children, the elderly and horse riders. It’s a wonderful multi-use area, but there are some growing concerns that need all of our attention.
Recently, there have been more reports of people feeling unsafe or anxious while visiting the Alphen greenbelt. Some have experienced incidents like being knocked over by excited dogs or witnessing dog fights.
More seriously, a young rider was injured recently when her horse was attacked by an out-of-control dog, causing her to fall and suffer significant injuries, including a broken pelvis and spine fractures.
This young woman now faces a tough road ahead, as she may need future surgeries, and her accident has put her family under immense financial pressure. What makes this even more upsetting is that the dog’s owner didn’t step forward to help or take responsibility for what happened, though, thankfully, some kind bystanders did come to the rider’s aid.
This accident could have been prevented if the dog had been properly controlled. And that’s where we, as a community, come in.
Dogs are naturally playful and curious, while horses are easily startled. Even something as simple as a dog suddenly racing up from the river or a child speeding by on a bike can trigger a horse’s flight response, putting both the horse and everyone nearby in danger.
Dogs are, by nature, predators, while horses are prey animals, so any unexpected movement or approach can lead to a panicked and potentially dangerous reaction from a horse.
As a fellow dog lover, I completely understand the temptation to let dogs roam free, especially if they’re well-behaved. I feel the responsibility to remind everyone that, by law, dogs in the Alphen Klaassenbosch area must be on a leash and under control. This isn’t just a rule for rule’s sake, it’s there to keep everyone safe.
An unleashed or uncontrolled dog can lead to severe, life-changing consequences for others - children, horse riders, the elderly and other bystanders alike.
If a horse gets spooked, it could bolt onto a road, potentially causing traffic accidents or injuring bystanders. If a dog actually attacks a horse, the horse may sustain injuries that could require costly medical treatment or worse, lead to the horse being put down. These are outcomes no one wants to face, and they’re entirely preventable.
Please consider the serious impact that an unleashed or uncontrolled dog can have on others and the responsibility that comes with bringing pets into shared public spaces.
Let’s all do our part to keep the Alphen greenbelt a welcoming, safe place for everyone. Please leash your dog and stay aware of your surroundings. Together, we can make sure everyone enjoys this special place.
Thank you so much for understanding and helping us all look out for one another.
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