Toronto barks, but it won't bite

In the Toronto Star has this to say.

City barks, but it won't bite
Committee defers dog policy in parksIssue seen as too hot before election
May 5, 2006. 07:41 AM
JOHN SPEARS
CITY HALL BUREAU

The troublesome issue of controlling dogs in Toronto parks has been sent back to the kennel — and could well stay there until safely after November's municipal election.

But the decision by the city's economic development and parks committee to hold off on setting a new pooch policy elicited yelps of protest from some citizens who had come to city hall yesterday to give their views.

Canine control is a divisive issue that often pits parents against dog owners, with both fighting for their share of the city's parkland.

City staff have drafted proposed rules for how off-leash areas should be created. They've also proposed that paid dog walkers not be allowed to walk more than six dogs at a time.

But it was just too hot an issue for councillors, who, despite a throng of citizens in a packed committee room, decided more public consultation is needed.

The deferral infuriated Marie-Jocelynne Sirois, who's been trying to get an off-leash area in her Mimico neighbourhood to run Tippa, her 9-year-old border collie-chow chow cross.

Sirois said she had been advised by the city to form a committee, consult in her neighbourhood and come up with a plan — all of which she's done.

"Now they're telling us we're going to have to talk to everyone again?" she said outside the meeting. "Give me a break."

Councillors argue that the issue should be discussed further at community councils, and possibly in ward meetings, before a final decision is made.

There are an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 dogs in the city. Toronto has 32 official leash-free zones in its 1,500 parks, but 29 are in the old city of Toronto. The new policy is supposed to provide a more uniform distribution in the city.

The proposed policy says since residents and councillors know their neighbourhoods best, they should be the ones to decide on leash-free zones, along with the area parks supervisor.

While Toronto mulls whether to push dog decisions down to the local ward level, Vancouver is about to launch a much more centralized review of its policy.

Vancouver — which has 31 off-leash areas in parks — is in the process of appointing a panel of experts to review dog policy. It will hold hearings, then make recommendations to the Vancouver Park Board, which will make the final decision.

While Sirois was angry about Toronto's deferral, others applauded it.

"I would like a place to run my dog, but I think we need more community consultation for me to find out where that is," said Bob Warren, of North Toronto.

And he's not sure if leaving policy to the local level will work.

"Democratically, it's a great idea," he said. "Practically, I can't see it happening."

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