Off-Leash Information GVRD map showing off-leash areas City of Vancouver Pound Office: Licensing information, animal control by-laws. http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/pandl/pound/pound.htm Dogs Running at Large in Vancouver http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/dogfactsheet.html Our Proposal to City Council We, the Vancouver Dog Owners Association, respectfully submit the following proposal to amend some sections of the animal control by-law. All three items come with the proviso that each dog's owner (or person in custody of the dog) upon request from a pound keeper, police officer, or park official, be able to demonstrate adequate control over their dog, or be liable for a fine or even impoundment of the dog. The proposals are as follows: 1.) That dogs be allowed off the leash in the parks all mornings until 9 AM unless the dog has a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack without provocation other domestic animals or humans. The city pound should retain their authority to fine the owner or impound any dogs that are causing harm or discomfort to other animals or humans. 2.) That all larger parks have a designated area open for dogs to play off-leash at all times of the day. As in item number one, the city pound would still retain the authority to impound dogs and/or fine owners should the occasion arise. Ideally, dog owners should not need to drive their dogs to a park to use a dog-play zone. This would not only be counter to the city's efforts to reduce private automobile use, but it would also be discriminatory to people who do not own automobiles, to senior citizens and people with disabilities who tend to have more limited mobility, and children who walk the family dog. We want to stress strongly the importance of as many designated dog-free zones keeping normal balance of park use in all neighbourhoods. 3.) That there would be some designated beach areas usable at any time of day free for dogs to swim. These would be other than the dog-playing zones mentioned in item number two. This is essential, especially during the summer and for water-dog breeds. We are responsible dog owners who care about the physical and emotional health and well-being of our pets. The exercise a dog gets running and playing off-leash is far superior to what it can get on-leash. It is our intention in the above proposals to provide the opportunity to dog owners to avail themselves of a reasonable range of times and places to give their dogs the exercise they feel is best for them, while interfering as little as possible with general park use. The current "anti-dog" sentiments prevailing in Vancouver concerns us greatly. We realize there are problem-dogs (and problem-owners) and we would not wish to impede the city pound keepers in their efforts to prevent these dogs from running at large in any public area or at any time of day. As an association, we are committed to educating more people in how to become more responsible for controlling their dogs and cleaning up after them.
	Home | About VANDOG | Off-Leash Information | Lodging | Newsletter Education & Training | Fun Stuff This site developed by Tanis Brookes, Debra Dorey, & Kele Fleming. Last updated November 28, 1997