3-dog limit proposed for CRD parks

A three-dog limit is being proposed for people walking pets in Capital Regional District parks.

For a professional dog walker, the limit would be eight. They would also have to pay a $320 licence fee and agree to conditions such as where and when their charges could be walked, along with a code of conduct.

CRD staff recommend the measures in a report to be considered by the parks committee today, suggesting the limits take effect May 1.

In April, View Royal Mayor David Screech raised the issue of commercial dog walkers using CRD parks after residents complained they were encountering packs of unleashed dogs while on hikes.

“Many longtime visitors comment on how many more dogs are in the parks these days, and how some owners have many dogs off-leash at a time,” the report says.

“Some people regard this as a problem. Others welcome dogs and state that there is no problem. What remains unknown is the number of people who do not visit parks because of the potential for negative dog encounters.”

The CRD parks bylaw requires owners to have dogs under control at all times, to have a leash and collar for each dog at all times, and to remove waste.

The bylaw lists 11 parks that have restrictions on beaches and in picnic areas in the summer, whereby dogs are not allowed unless leashed and just passing through. Dogs on the CRD’s three regional trails are to be leashed at all times.

Staff say complaints about dogs fall into three main categories: They are not effectively controlled, owners are not picking up after them, and/or seasonal restrictions are being ignored.

An estimated 20 commercial dog-walking companies operate in the region. CRD staff say they met with operators who are not adverse to fees or regulations.

Parks committee chairman Mike Hicks said he would prefer to see the same limit apply to both commercial dog walkers and individuals. “I don’t know how [commercial] dog walkers would be more qualified to handle off-leash dogs than individuals,” Hicks said. “In fact, I would say it would be the other way around … individuals’ dogs are their own dogs and [the pets are] probably more obedient.”

Of the 3,844 violations recorded in CRD parks in 2016, 37 per cent were dog-related, 24 per cent alcohol-related and 14 per cent smoking-related. Other violations, such as noise and illegal camping, made up the remaining 25 per cent. Bylaw enforcement cost $109,660.

Staff have asked for an additional $100,000 for 2018, which, combined with funds already dedicated to animal enforcement, would allow one four-hour patrol per day, circulating to different parks. That would add to an annual total of 1,400 patrol hours.

The extra money would also go toward enforcement officers spending more time at Thetis Lake during peak summer hours to deal with swimming and cliff-jumping.

CRD staff also recommend against supplying dog-waste bags in CRD parks and on regional trails, except at the Governor General Field at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park.

Staff say the cost of supplying the dog-waste bags at the park is about $1,200 a year. If just one bag station was installed at each regional park, an estimated $40,000 would be spent on bags, they said.

The committee’s recommendations would have to be ratified by the CRD board to come into effect.