It seems to me that the dog bylaws have gotten way too bureaucratic and complicated in St. Albert.
For instance, at the Lacombe Lake Dog Park, at the gated entrance to the fenced area, across from the beach, there is a sign that reads: “Entering an off leash area." Yet on either side of that gate there are two other signs that read: “Dogs crossing.” What is that supposed to mean? It's totally a mixed message. At various other locations throughout that park there are signs that read: “Trails are on leash areas." It seems that the signs have been made purposely ambiguous to ensure that bylaw enforcement are able to penalize at will.
Something else that seems to make no sense is the livestock style fence that was built between the beach and the path. I call it a livestock fence because only cattle or horses could be controlled by such a fence. If the intent is to completely deny access to the beach for dogs, the city needs to make that perfectly clear.
As a dog owner, I can attest to the huge source of enjoyment that beach is to families and their dogs. I can also attest to the numerous occasions where cyclists and rollerbladers fly through that area with little to no regard for their own safety or that of others. There has been a lot of time and money spent on how to control dogs in that area. Perhaps some effort should be made on how to control the bicycle and rollerblade traffic in that area as well.
Jim Yeske, St. Albert
