Dogs-on-buses debate delayed until February

Thousands of local residents panting to find out whether leashed dogs will be allowed on board B.C. Transit buses in Greater Victoria will have to wait a little longer.

The issue has been postponed to Feb. 18, the next meeting of the Greater Victoria Transit Commission. The canine controversy was originally expected to surface at the Dec. 9 and Jan. 26 meetings, which were postponed due to commission membership changes and scheduling conflicts.

The commission has received 4,500 submissions since it decided to study the issue in September, after a petition with 800 names in favour was presented by Daphne Taylor and Fran Thoburn of the Raging Grannies.

B.C. Transit policy now allows small dogs, cats, birds and other creatures on buses, provided they are small enough to fit into secured laptop carriers.

Transit staff have been looking at jurisdictions such as Montreal, Toronto and Calgary and how they cope with canines using transit, as well as the legal liability and concerns of bus operators, who would face added responsibilities, such as refusing to allow some dogs on board.

The president of Unifor Local 333, which represents 550 bus operators, said canines hopping aboard is “something I don’t think you’re necessarily going to see any time soon.”

Ben Williams pointed to prospective stipulations such as dog fares, muzzling and restrictions on the number of dogs per bus that could put dog advocates off the idea, even if it passes at the transit commission.

“You can speak to people who have lived in Toronto and they have never seen a dog on a bus,” Williams said. “[Dogs there] have to wear a basketstyle muzzle. They have to pay full fare. They’re not allowed on during peak service times and there’s only one allowed on at a time.”

The new transit commission includes Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps and Coun. Marianne Alto, Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell and Coun. Susan Brice, who will continue in the role of chairwoman, Mayor Alice Finall of North Saanich, Mayor Barb Desjardins of Esquimalt and Mayor Carol Hamilton of Colwood.

Under the B.C. Transit Act, the mayors of Victoria and Saanich must be appointed, along with a council member from each of those municipalities, along with the mayor of either Esquimalt or Oak Bay.

A mayor of Sidney, North or South Saanich must also be appointed, as well as one mayor from Colwood, Metchosin, View Royal, Langford or the Highlands, Sooke or the electoral area director for Juan de Fuca.