Unneutered Animals

For the record, unneutered animals are not allowed in the dog park. It is part of the city policy. If you notice an increase of these dogs and they are causing trouble you may want to call bylaw enforcement and have them come out –especially if there is a particular time that it is occurring. Another tactic is to mention to the owner, before there are issues, that the park is restricted to fixed animals,it makes it clear the park has rules before problems arise. Essentially the onus is on everyone- as park users- to keep the area safe.

Below is an excerpt of a letter that I recently received about the issue that highlights our concerns.

"We love the park, it's only 10 mins drive away from our house. Ever since this summer started, we have been going there early evenings around 8pm during the week. Our dog made many friends there, however, over the past couple of weeks or so we have noticed there are more and more unfixed dogs at the park. They pick fights and run around mounting other dogs. These are adult dogs, not puppies. We have been trying to avoid those dogs every time we were there, eg. we went to the opposite end from them, but the experience this evening was very frustrating and I decided to write this email to you.

This 18 month old Doberman Pitcher (uncastrated) kept coming after our young neutered dog, trying to dominate him, and our dog then fought back, and it kept escalating to a nasty level. The worse part was the owners being very irresponsible, they didn't call the dog over or do anything to get their dog off my dog, and I had to break up fights  many times.  We were at the opposite end, and the dog still kept coming at him. For the entire time at the park, I had to keep an eye on that dog, and every time it came near, I firmly corrected the dog and asked him to go away. This should not be my job, people who bring their dogs to the park should monitor their dogs!! It was a very frustrating night. I know my dog, he is always tense with unneutered dogs coming at him which is very normal. When I asked the owners of that Doberman why he is not fixed, they told me he is a show dog, which to me means he will NEVER be fixed.

Here is my question, should there be a rule against unfixed adult dogs in the park? It is very unfair for other dogs especially when there are some irresponsible owners involved. They bring so much negative energy to the park, and now I get nervous going to the park. If this keeps happening, someone will get hurt one day. " 

Signed: A nervous dog owner 

Support Bill 222 NOW!

Re-printed from Speaking of Dogs Newsletter.

NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo is fighting to overturn the BSL that discriminates against our good “pit bull’’ friends – and any dog that may look like a “pit bull.’’

This form makes it very easy for you to register your support for Cheri. Just pick your MPP from a list and fill in your coordinates.
The sample is in the link. Sample Letter

The web site also contains valuable information.
More info here: Broadsides Blog

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You have the power to make a difference for those who can’t!


My Thoughts.
I think this is a great bill and hope that everyone takes the time to write you local MPP. In our area (Etobicoke-Lakeshore) it is Laurel Broten. Drop her a line and make you voice heard.
Maria

What is an Association?

For those of you unsure of what is required by the city to get a 'dog park', the first and probably most important step is to form an association. A quasi-legal group of like-minded individuals who will petition the city. To be an association there must be at least 10 members, a set of bylaws, meetings and some appointed officers. That being said, to confirm membership I must have the real names and addresses of interested parties. It is not enough to agree. Like a petition, it has no teeth without a face (or name).

That being said, I prefer to not announce my personal information on the internet, and understand if you feel the same; so email me and I will discuss it personally with you. I will happily share my details with other members of the association. Frida is only my spokes dog and a way to connect to others in the area who feel as I do, that we need a place for our canine companions to run Leash Free.

Get involved, and sign up today so we can try and get this park before the end of the summer (and before the Leash Police ticket again!)

Maria

Let there be a lease free zone!

We walk around saying that we need a place to let dogs be dogs, but it never seems to happen. I have lived in the neighbourhood for over 10 years and aside from the postage stamp over by Don Russell park (which is currently a construction zone) there is no place for our furry friends to romp and play lease free legally.

Recent good weather has only highlighted the problem, with an increase in complaints of off-lease dogs and a strong presence of Animal Control. Most of the dogs walkers I encounter are law-abiding citizens who scoop the poop, and pick up garbage left behind by others. They understand that the water front, while attractive, is home to a diverse and delicate population of wild birds, and is a popular walking area for families and children. The dogs need their own place.

And a perfect spot is the open lawn next to the RL Clark Filtration Plant. The land as far as I am aware is open, the city cannot and will not build on it because the plant, and it is unused, except for the dogs walkers who want to avoid the waterfront.



So where does this leave us?

Well the city requires a organized group to petition them inorder to create this doggie sanctuary. I am far to busy to do this, so other admins are welcome, but here is my first contrbution. This is the first installment of a dog owners, and a dog walkers association so we can get the much needed space. In order to abide by city policy I will be recruiting owners, walkers and their friends to become members of this group.

Right now there will be no membership fee, but in the future if we need to contribute lets say, fencing, or picnic tables we may poll the membership for funds. All we need now is your full and real name, your address and phone number and email (for mailings) This is so we can show the city we are an organized and offical group. It will not be used for sales or solicitations and it will not be sold or trades to other organizations. I will ask that you allow yourselves to recieve newsletters, which will mainly consist of an email alert that links to new postings on this blog. I also hope that if and when there are meetings with the city I can count on your attendance.

Please contact me through the email fridathedog (at) rocketmail.com

Thanks for you energy and support,
Maria Doyle

City Rules for Establishing Off-Leash Areas

To apply for an off-leash area:
1) Dog owners interested in establishing a leash free area in a City Park must establish a local dog-owner association.
2) The proponents must identify two key contacts and submit a written proposal to Parks, Forestry and Recreation, attention: Parks Director.
3) The Ward Councillor will be notified of the proposal for an off-leash area and kept apprised of the outcome of the review process.
4) Parks, Forestry and Recreation in consultation with Toronto Public Health, Animal Services, Toronto Water or other divisions/agencies as required, will review the proposal and assess the site against the above-noted criteria.
5) If the proposal does not meet the above criteria, the Park Supervisor will advise the dog-owner association in writing of the reasons why the location is not appropriate.
6) Where the proposed site is deemed suitable by Parks, Forestry and Recreation, the Division will contact the local Ward Councillor and host a public information meeting to advise interested residents, community representatives, advisory council members, sports groups, area schools, business improvement areas, residents’ associations and other park users that an off-leash area will be located in the identified park.
7) Public notice will be provided to the local Ward Councillor and all interested parks stakeholders (as indicated above) and be posted a minimum of 10 days prior to any scheduled meeting.
8) Parks, Forestry and Recreation shall negotiate the use of alternative sites with the dog-owner association, where the General Manager or designate deems it necessary or desirable to do so, and subject to any necessary approval from City officials.