Dogs in St. Albert will need to be on leashes everywhere but designated areas starting in September of 2014.
On Monday night city council gave third and final reading to the updated animal bylaw, which reverses St. Albert’s leash rules from allowing dogs to romp almost anywhere off-leash to requiring a leash almost everywhere.
“This has been before the community for the last number of months,” said Coun. Wes Brodhead. “We’ve heard a diversity of opinions but we’ve also heard the desire to move forward and create a community that is safe for all members to walk without fear.”
Only Coun. Cathy Heron voted against third reading.
Besides requiring dogs to be leashed, the animal bylaw requires people to carry waste bags at all times when they’re out with their dogs or risk a fine. It allows for the city to place specific restrictions on dogs in the community deemed dangerous and assess late penalties against dog owners who don’t renew their licences by the annual deadline.
But it was the leashing provisions that drew the most concern during the process, with 15 residents showing up on April 2 to voice their thoughts. The bylaw will create an off-leash area in every city neighbourhood where owners can let their dogs run. Leashes, under the bylaw, can be no longer than two metres.
Only one person bothered speaking to council on Monday, suggesting council instead consider specific times of day when dogs can be off leash.
“When I use the parks I walk my dog between 5:30 and 6:30 in the morning,” said Margaret DeCorby. “You are not impacting anyone. If this was a safety issue, then putting a time frame would seem to meet the needs of those people who are concerned with safety and people who walk their dogs.”
The decision for some councillors wasn’t easy. Coun. Cam MacKay, whose vote April 2 delayed third reading for almost two weeks, said the bylaw was sensible.
“At the end of the day I have to make the decision that is best for people,” MacKay said. “I think that the process to select adequate space for dog parks is wide and broad enough that it enables everyone to have a spot they can take their dogs off leash.”
Now the city will focus on communication with the public and implementation of the new bylaw by September 2014. In the meantime, dog owners need to be made aware of the changes, signs need to be erected and off-leash parks located.
City council also authorized $54,000 in additional funding related to the passing of the bylaw, $24,000 for communication purposes and $30,000 to fund any additional personnel needed to implement the changes in the bylaw.
Mayor Nolan Crouse suggested that city administration incorporate the city’s botanical arts brand into how it communicates changes to residents.
“There’s a great opportunity to be really creative here,” Crouse said.
