Those of us who walk around the Queen's Park Savannah are becoming an endangered species.
The biggest threat to life will either be a sudden heart attack or stroke, which will not be caused by the pace at which we walk, but through the many stories circulating about those who are now ditching their beloved hounds, the pitbulls, since the Dangerous Dogs Bill has been tabled. Every stray mongrel standing afar off in the middle of the savannah or on the other side of the road, now takes on the face and stance of a pitbull. It reached the stage last Tuesday morning that a couple whom I know extremely well, came pounding and panting on the pitch right behind me during their daily jog, and I nearly jumped straight out of my skin, thinking it was some pitbull galloping after me about to tear my limbs apart.
Then of course there are those who must bring their animals on their morning walk. Since the Bill, I haven't seen the gent with the grey pitbull, but do these insensitive dog-lovers ever stop to think that many of us out there do not like dogs, are actually quite afraid of them, and really do not want to share our hour of relaxation either dodging or bypassing any dog, be it pompek, terrier, German shepherd, doberman, rottweiler, mixed breed, mongrel and least of all pitbull. What if the larger looking animals broke free from the leash which their masters/mistresses appear to hold very limply. Will they have control of their animals.
Why do the dogs have to walk in such a public place at such a public time, with the public.
We are faced with increasing numbers of the destitute who sleep on the benches amidst rags, newspapers and pieces of cardboard, and sometimes carry out their ablutions and toilet activities in full view of us all. And others who rant and rage in the foulest language at the trees, sky or whatever they may fancy. Who knows when one of them will decide that a human being would be a much better recipient for their vitrolic words and maybe a blow or two.
A friend who walked the savannah for years, has stopped walking for nearly three months, and has no intention of returning to the savannah after her gold chain was forcefully ripped from her neck by a young bandit who had followed her complete in his jogging gear for many minutes. To this time she still wakes at night with the feel of the chain being brutally dragged from her neck. Fortunately, she is in a position to purchase a treadmill and can now exercise at home. What happens to those of us who can barely buy the expensive walking shoes, far less a treadmill. While another older lady no longer ventures out since her breast was grabbed, again on the Belmont side of the savannah.
The cyclists and skaters pass dangerously close to those of us who either cannot get out of their oncoming path quickly or just do not feel obliged to move. While Saturday walkathoners spread themselves across the narrow pitched area with nary a thought for others.
And last but not least, where are our conservationists who never stopped yapping when Carlos John was paving a minute part of the savannah, now that the animals of the Mexican Circus are using the area where they are penned as feeding ground and bathroom. The smell emanating from the pens forces you to hold your breath as you pass in front of these 'maga' looking animals who munch not only the few strands of whatever has been put down for them, but the savannah's grass as well. When are we going to hear from the Citizens for Conservation about this disgrace at the southern end of the savannah.
Since there are citizens who use the savannah for their daily quota of exercise from as early as 3.30 a.m, I wonder if the police patrol the area at that time, but I certainly cannot remember ever having seen a police patrol car at 5 a.m. or thereafter.