Dear County Commissioner,

I’m writing in response to recent information that has come to me about the harassment by county Parks & Rec Dept. staff of Turk Abay, owner of “Off Leash Dog Training”.  I understand it is being suggested that Turk is using county property to conduct business.  As a  client of “Off Leash Dog Training”, I’m stunned that our tax dollars are being wasted by persecuting someone who does SO much to make our community a safer place.  Turk Akbay – Off Leash Dog Training conducts  paid classes  at his facility in the University area or at his clients’ homes.

The social “meet-up” sessions he organizes at locations all over Charlotte are “not paid” social training gatherings like the running groups, bootcamp classes, even the water color painters  that are opportunities for like-minded dog owners and their dogs to socialize in safe manner.   As you may already know  Off Leash Dog Parks are Public “Play at your own risk.” places. Last year what Parks & Rec “claimed to be”  the only fatality in dog park was one of our fellow students  inside the dog park.  After city has stop enforcing Pooch pass program due to budget cuts we don’t even know if the dogs in dog parks are current on their rabies shots.. If they had them at all in the first place.
Turk does such a phenomenal job in helping dog owners teach their dogs how to behave in public and personal spaces.  You’ll never see his dog owners letting their dogs defecate without scooping,  barking and causing a nuisance, and certainly never behaving aggressively toward strangers.  This cannot be said about MANY other folks we’ve interacted with on county property.

Canine responsibility is something he and his trainees take VERY seriously and should be held as an excellent example of park stewardship and responsible pet ownership.  His public gatherings only happen an few hours a week and cannot possibly be causing anyone distress.

I appeal to your common sense and humbly request that Parks & Rec staff to use their time in more pressing issues rather than single out a dog trainer because of they don’t agree with the name of his company.

Thank you so very much for your time,