Up the wrong tree

THE Herald’s front page story about the dog owners at Ken Allen missed several important points and misrepresented the football club, which simply wants girls to be able to train there.

So let me lay these points in the interests of balance.

Ken Allen is a sports ground for human beings who have paid to use it, it is not a designated dog area.

A girl training was bitten on the face by a dog a couple of years ago, hence the concern.

There are many witnesses to the verbal abuse that’s been dished out by the dog owners to coaching and club staff. The girls heard the insults. It has not been the other way around.

The vandalism of the nets came soon after one dog owner verbally abused a club official. Perhaps this is a coincidence.

The council signs saying people should keep their dog on a lead have since been vandalised. Perhaps this is a coincidence.

There are no restrictions on dog owners using the space before training commences, which is basically 6pm.

There are no restrictions on dog owners using the considerable space which is not being used by girls training for soccer. Many dog owners use this space with their dogs on leads, which is a simple requirement.

Some of the dog owners let their animals poo on the field and they don’t pick it up.

Before anyone screams “I’m a ratepayer”, if you have a big dog that needs space to run, maybe take them to a safe space to do so; instead of somewhere that girls are training for sports, on an actual sports ground.

I’m also a dog owner and a Freo ratepayer but I don’t force him onto children’s sports grounds when kids are there training.

What’s more is, I don’t expect that I have that right.

Get it right, Herald, don’t back the bullies.

David Weber
North Fremantle

Hell no

I AM writing to voice my disappointment and disgust at your front page article ‘Hope in gates to a hellhole’ (Herald, May 16).

The references to homeless people and people affected by drug use as ‘noxious pests, ‘junkies’ , ‘druggies’ or ‘chap decided to pass out in the main car park’ are horrible, hate-inciting, and simplistic. 

We all know about the cost of living crisis, the almost impossible public housing wait lists, and the impacts that trauma has on people. 

Your journalist has chosen to demonise some members of society who are clearly in some of the worst, darkest parts of their lives. 

I am not excusing behaviour here or minimising the impact their behaviour has on the community on Victoria Street, but I am horrified to see language used that turns human beings into ‘noxious pests’ in my local newspaper. 

The echoes of language chosen by leaders committing genocide do not go unnoticed. 

Where is the call for systemic change and improvements for all members of Fremantle community? 

Do better Herald. We haven’t got many newspapers in WA providing us with calls for empathy, kindness and calls for systemic change.

Emily Ings
Hamilton Hill