In the world of municipal governance, it’s sometimes best to let sleeping dogs lie, while other times call for taking the dog by the leash, so to speak.
When it comes to the ongoing debate over how best to handle man’s best friends in St. Albert, it’s the latter metaphor that city council should embrace. Yes, it’s time to catch up with the rest of Western society and require dogs to be leashed, while providing designated off-leash areas.
A rewrite of St. Albert’s animal control bylaw has been in the works for months and won’t come to city council for approval for another four months, but a progress report this week prompted two councillors to weigh in on the issue of the leashing of dogs, which has emerged as the most discussed aspect of this revamped bylaw.
City administration is proposing to make it mandatory for dogs to be leashed throughout St. Albert except in designated off-leash areas, of which it’s suggested there could be one within each neighbourhood. This legislative step would reverse the current rules, which allow dogs to remain off-leash throughout the city, except in playgrounds and posted parkland, as long as they’re “kept under complete control.” This reversal makes complete sense.
As research completed by city administration has shown, St. Albert is an anomaly in its treatment of dogs. Some local dog owners feel the current system is perfect the way it is, that other municipalities have it wrong with their zeal for restraining these beloved pets. But there are common-sense reasons why municipalities restrict dogs.
No matter how well trained a dog is, the only way to ensure that it’s truly under control is to have it on a leash. Even the most well behaved of these animals can be unpredictable or erratic at times. One of the results can be unwanted encounters with other pets or people, which can be dangerous, particularly if they involve a large dog and a smaller one, or a child.
Beyond the potential for danger, unwanted dog encounters – even when they’re an act of friendliness – can be upsetting or traumatic for some people. This is an aspect that some dog owners fail to understand or acknowledge – not everyone likes dogs, wants to mingle with them or be jumped upon by them. This isn’t a personal failing on the part of non-dog people, but rather a legitimate sentiment that must be balanced with the legitimate desire of dog owners to have romping space for their pets.
As it currently stands, St. Albert’s animal bylaw represents an erosion of the personal freedom of those with an aversion to dogs while favouring pooches and their owners.
Mayor Nolan Crouse has argued in favour of maintaining the status quo by saying that dogs need to romp. Certainly it’s healthy for dogs to romp, but that doesn’t mean it’s best to have them romping freely all over town. Designated off-leash areas would provide the space that dogs need for romping and socializing. And they would be a place that those with an aversion to dogs can easily avoid. It’s a proverbial win-win.
Currently, St. Albert is a Bizarro world where dogs rule. When this issue comes up for debate, council should flip this world right side up by making leashes mandatory and providing designated off-leash areas.
