Highlights From "An Uniform Policy for Leashed and Unleashed Dogs in Parks"

Dr. Sheela Basrur identified these problems, when she was the Chief Medical Officer of Health in the 1998 report "An Uniform Policy for Leashed and Unleashed Dogs in Parks".

Dr. Basrur found that:

• Permitting dogs to roam unleashed in City parks is a controversial issue given the challenge of satisfying the interests of all park patrons. While most dog owners obey all by-laws and keep their dogs under control, problems are on the rise in part because of the increase in the number of dogs, their natural behaviors and a minority of irresponsible dog owners.
• The Parks and Recreation Division and the Animal Services have been monitoring the dogs off-leash locations and report the following observations:
• City residents who own dogs benefit from their companionship, security, social and recreational activity.
• Dogs off-leash areas promote dog owners socializing in parks thereby creating a presence, enhancing the perception of public safety and deterring inappropriate or criminal activity in the area.
• Most dog owners comply and many participate in informal enforcement and public education activities with park users.
• Off-leash activity frequently expands beyond the designated areas and park boundaries into on-leash park areas, neighbourhood streets and private properties.
• Stoop and Scoop violations are on the increase in parks.
• The public is reporting health and safety concerns particularly for children and senior citizens including: confrontation between incompatible dogs resulting in dog bites; confrontations with pet owners who refuse to comply with leashing and stoop and scoop requirements; and, dogs in playground areas. The recent media reports
• There have been a growing number of professional dog walkers arriving with many dogs at a time, causing concern to park visitors and damage to parkland. Adherence * to stoop and scoop by-laws is particularly problematic with multiple dog walking.
• Park damage is occurring throughout the year including holes being dug by dogs creating trip hazards to park patrons and sports field users. As well, the fragile nature of forest ecology of the ravines is being threatened by dogs who are a major contributor to erosion and damage to sensitive plant material.
• Designated park areas for dogs off-leash creates a situation of concentrated usage, resulting in park damage.There have been a number of staff complaints of dogs bothering or attacking them during their performance of park maintenance activities.
• Enforcement of the existing bylaws with current resources is seriously inadequate.

Emphasis Play At The Park

Parks must be safe and accessible to all and all voices must be heard