Perth Voice Interactive

ANZAC Day fail for buses
ANZAC Day public transport in the Fitzgerald Street / Alexander Drive corridor was disgraceful.
For those in this area who depend on Transperth there was just no way to be standing by the Eternal Flame at sunrise. Everything depended on having some means to get to the train—no easy task if you live in North Perth.
An uncle of mine served at Gallipoli (Duley, M.G. S/N 12333, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, KIA France 21/2/1917) and I would have been at Kings Park at dawn thinking of him (and others) had it been practicable. It was not! It would have been easier to walk to Kings Park than to get to the Esplanade train station to catch a bus.  Getting home would have depended on buses running a Sunday timetable which is inadequate at best, or walking back.
Whoever dreamed up these arrangements disenfranchised many who live along one of the city’s main northern arterial routes.
Shame on you!
Rick Duley
Walcott St, North Perth

Without warning
THIS letter is to warn everyone to be very careful when walking dogs, and also to thank some people who helped me through a horrible trauma.
On December 7 in Railway Parade, Maylands, I was walking my dear little dog Jeremy when he was viciously attacked by two great danes, without any provocation or warning. All three dogs were leashed. I fought like a demon against the two dogs to save him but they were just too strong. I was injured and am recovering slowly.
Jeremy was the sweetest, friendliest, happiest dog I’ve ever had. My brother described him as a little package of anti-depressants. He brightened the day of everyone who crossed his path. I’d rescued him from the pound and loved him for 15 years. I had hoped he would pass away peacefully in his sleep instead of having to endure such a nightmare. The woman walking the dogs tried her very best to stop them attacking but without much success.
She did eventually manage to get the male off my boy but the bitch was still attacking. A lady and a gentleman passing by stopped to help.  The gentleman very bravely held the male dog and helped to tie it up against a nearby fence. Meanwhile, I finally managed to get the remaining dog off my boy, but by this time my dear little Jeremy had been literally ripped apart: he was still alive but hanging on by a thread.
This letter is to thank those two passers-by for their bravery and kindness. I didn’t get their names so I am hoping they or someone who knows them will read this. Many people would not have stopped to help, and I’m sure it was a shocking experience for both of them.
My dear Jeremy did not survive the attack, but it would have been even worse for us if they hadn’t stopped to help. I’d also like to thank Bayswater ranger James. I was housebound for months due to my injuries, and he kindly visited me at home. He also had to deal with the owners of the attacking dogs, who were shocked at what their dogs had done. He was professional and compassionate in a horrible situation. He really is excellent at his job. I’d like to thank Balcatta Veterinary Hospital, for being open on a Sunday night. Perth’s population of pets and people is growing in leaps and bounds, and we desperately need more after-hours vets, and animal ambulances.
The message I want people to get from this is that these weren’t so-called “dangerous breed” dogs, owned by rotten people who let them run wild. We had just been walking past and my dog did nothing to provoke them. I am a very experienced dog owner and I know dog behaviour. They gave absolutely no warning; no barking, no growling, nothing. These were well-cared for dogs, owned and walked (on the leash) by decent people. So this could happen to anyone, and any dog breed could attack. I’m sorry it’s taken so long to write this, but I just haven’t been able to face it.  I still cry every day for my boy.
If anyone has spare cash (or dog food, dog coats, leashes, towels, etc) they could make a donation to K9 Dog Rescue Group at http://www.k9.asn.au, and that would be a kind way to honour my dear Jeremy’s life.
Rest in peace my darling Jeremy.
Christine Jones
Seventh Ave, Maylands

Drop in bucket
I READ with interest the council’s intent to spend up to $93,000 to restore Bungana and Brearly lakes (Voice, April 25, 2015).
It is unfortunate that Mr Williams believes these lakes are an eyesore and a waste of money. We have lived near the lake for three years and could not wish for a better place.
The variety of birds is the outlook is outstanding. Rarely a weekend goes by where families, dog walkers, bicyclists and couples don’t hang out by these quiet and serene lakes.
Two-thirds of the lakes are either covered in bush or parkland and accessible to the public. I’ve even seen some wedding parties have their photos taken here.
Yes, they are an artefact of human activities but we can’t change that. They remain a nice, quiet spot in Maylands. The reported $93,000 for the upkeep of the lakes is a drop in the bucket, considering the amount in rates paid by the 300 or so houses around the lake amounts to about $300 per property and these lakes have been here for more than 20 years.
Michael Emond
Hinkler Loop, Maylands

The Unreporter
AS a City of Bayswater ratepayer I—and I’m certain other ratepayers—are grateful for your reports about the waste of ratepayers’ money by the council.
The Eastern Reporter newspaper—reporting on about 20 suburbs in this area—does not inform readers about these matters. Thanking you again.
Frieda Leder, Morley