City leash by-laws of little concern, dog owners say

 

Growing concern over leash-less dogs in Windsor has provoked crackdown on city bylaws, but some owners feel the issue itself does not warrant such action.

After attacks by an Anatolian Shepherd resulting in the deaths of at least two smaller dogs last month, Windsor City Council has agreed to give a $5,000 grant towards the enforcement of the cities leash bylaw. However, owners have said what is really needed, is proper control and responsibility over a dog.

Inside Windsor’s 10 dog parks, complaints from some have been directed towards City Council rather than loose dogs. While Optimist Memorial Park has two free roaming pens for both big and small dogs, owners at the park have said they’ve had little trouble letting the two groups share the same space.

The decision to share the same space has come about by what dog owners say is the cities negligence. Howard Weeks is a dog owner, he said that the big dog area is currently too muddy to use. Furthermore, the pile of wood chips to be laid out in the area he said have been laying there for three months already. Ward 4 Councilor Chris Holt asked that users of the park to be more understanding.

“(Optimist Memorial Park) is traditionally a very wet park,” said Holt. “What I ask is that we be patient, springtime is going to be a very wet time.”

Being the owner of a shih tzu named ‘Bubba,’ Weeks said he was not concerned when bigger dogs played with his dog. He said if a dog is properly trained it will not cause any trouble. Dog owner, Greg Allen said he believes leashes can actually help to make dogs more violent.

“I think leashes are completely unnatural for a dog,” said Allen. “It’s an unnatural state for a dog. You take away their ability to run away from situations. When you talk about fight-or-flight situations, they’re only left with fight.”

For Holt however, it’s not dogs who are the only ones affected if another dog is loose. He mentioned a case where an elderly couple stopped going to Jackson Park after repeatedly seeing a large dog roam free there.

“I have a wonderful dog…it just wants to lick people but people seeing that dog in Willistead Park will choose not to go in that park if that dog is off the leash,” said Holt.

Ward 6 Councilor Jo-Anne Gignac said she did not believe that Holt’s $5,000 request would get very far and that the money should be put instead into education.

Allen said he believes the city should invest more in educating owners on their responsibility with their pets, with leashes being only a tool in controlling situations.

“If your dog is well trained and you’re always in control, I don’t see a problem with it,” Allen said.

The current fine for letting dogs run without a leash in undesignated areas is $500.