Latest news with #offleashdogs
CBC
15 hours ago
- General
- CBC
Increase in dog bite incidents prompts Wolfville park to limit off-leash hours
Social Sharing After an unspecified number of incidents involving off-leash dogs at Reservoir Park, the Town of Wolfville, N.S., is running a pilot project until January that will limit the hours dogs can be off-leash. The changes mean dogs must stay on leash between 10 a.m. AT and 7 p.m. each day. Previously, there weren't any restrictions. Wolfville Mayor Jodi MacKay said when she received a call from an emergency room doctor telling her she was seeing more cases of dog bites coming from the park, MacKay said she knew something had to be done. MacKay said the town gathered feedback from community members for a couple of months. "We heard a lot of just negative interactions [with off-leash dogs]," she said. MacKay said she does not know how many incidents there have been and how severe they were. People who don't comply with the new rules can be fined between $100 and $1,000. MacKay, who owns a five-year-old schnauzer named Mac, said people who want to share feedback about the pilot project can do so by scanning QR codes located throughout Reservoir Park. David Steele is a member of a naturalist group and often walks at the park. "I've had excited dogs come racing at me and jump on me," said Steele. "I'm a fairly sturdy fellow, but not everybody who walks here is, so I can understand why that could be quite threatening and even dangerous for some of the people who use the park." Off-leash debate divides Wolfville dog owners 11 hours ago Duration 1:42 A park in Wolfville is changing the rules around taking dogs off-leash. It comes after reports of an increase in dog bites. As Giuliana Grillo reports, dog owners are on different sides of the fence on the issue. Steele said it isn't just dogs that can be found at the park. He said most of his interactions with pets there have been positive, but the few that aren't can be especially dangerous for children and elderly people. Doug Watling of Kentville, N.S., is not pleased with the change. He frequently drives to Reservoir Park to let his dog, 13-year-old Hannah, off-leash. "One of the things that made the park charming is the fact that dogs were off-leash and got to engage and interact with people," he said. "We'll be coming here far less often, trust me."
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Portland parks to enforce stricter policy, fees for dog owners with off-leash pets
PORTLAND, Ore. () — The City of Portland has implemented stricter regulations and new fees for residents with off-leash dogs. that a new policy allows officials to immediately hit dog owners with a fine if they fail to put a leash on their pet in areas where leashes are required. The previous policy, established in 2013, directed park rangers to first issue citations for this offense — but officials said the initial warning has made the regulations 'difficult to enforce.' Oregon chef, bakery take home trophies from esteemed James Beard Awards 'Dog off-leash issues are a top concern for many community members all across the city,' PP&R said. 'These policy changes will help keep our parks safe and clean for all park visitors, and make sure they are welcoming for everyone.' Leashed dogs are permitted in most of Portland's public spaces, with the exception of sites including Tanner Springs Park, Mt. Tabor Park amphitheater and sports facilities with artificial and manicured turfs. Officials are more focused on cracking down on dog owners who allow pets to wander freely without a leash in undesignated areas, when there are more than 30 throughout the city. This includes portions of Irving Park, Alberta Park and Cathedral Park. But park rangers won't fine offenders straight away. Gov. Kotek signs POWER Act to shield Oregonians from Big Tech utility bills Staff is now 'piloting the new policy at parks with significant dog off-leash issues,' by informing residents of the changes before penalizing them, PP&R said. The bureau added that rangers could still choose to issue a citation as a first-time warning. Workers can also provide free leashes or poop bag holders to help with the new policy. The potential fine for off-leash dogs and failing to pick up poop ranges from $50 to $150, according to city code. Officials additionally ask pet owners not to bring their dogs to parks if they are 'in heat' or not fully vaccinated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
News.com.au
26-05-2025
- News.com.au
Six-year-old girl forced to undergo surgery after being mauled by off-leash dog
Parents feared the worst when an off-leash dog lunged at their six-year-old daughter during a Sunday outing in the Adelaide Hills. Margot McNicol was at Nairne's newly opened off-leash dog park with her family and their puppy when an American Staffy attacked, grabbing her by the head. The little girl was rushed to hospital and has since undergone surgery for her injuries. Margot's mother Christina heard her screaming and ran over. 'I saw the dog had her head in its mouth and was pulling her hair like a tug of war,' she told 7News. She said it took four adults to get the dog off her daughter. Margot was taken to hospital with multiple puncture wounds, scratches and bruises, but her parents are grateful it wasn't worse. Her father Braedan said that if the dog had taken her neck or face instead of the top of her head. 'It would have been a completely different story,' he said. The council is now investigating the incident. The owner will be fined $300 and a decision is expected to be made about whether the dog is euthanised.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Petition calls for stricter enforcement of pet leash laws
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — When the weather is nice outside, Ally Pfeifer loves to take her 11-year-old dog Zoey for a walk around Colorado Springs parks and trails, including Red Rock Canyon Open Space in Old Colorado City. But she says there's a problem. 'It seems like every time I take her out, we encounter an off-leash dog, and she is scared of big dogs running up to her,' Pfeifer said. Pfeifer says she started to notice dogs not on leashes in public parks around a year ago. Now, she says the problem has gotten worse. She tells FOX21 News she even went and reminded people while on the trail to put a leash on their dog, only to get a poor response. 'He said you can call the cops on me if you want, I live right over there,' Pfeifer said. That was the last straw for Pfeifer, who decided to take action and posted a video on Facebook talking with others from Colorado Springs who have been impacted by unleashed dogs in public spaces. John Fisch told Pfeifer in her Facebook video that this issue has been going on for years. 'Between the spring, summer, and fall of 2019, I had three encounters where I was bitten by off-leash dogs on trails in the Colorado Springs area,' Fisch said. Pfeifer talked with six people in total, including Lynn Wood,y who said she is tired of unleashed dogs. 'My husband and I like to do a lot of hiking, but we've been running into loose, aggressive dogs so frequently that we're almost ready to give up,' Woody said. Pfeifer says the problem is not with the current laws in place. In Colorado Springs City Ordinance 6.7.107, it specifically requires pet owners who are at any park or public space to have their dog or hoofed animal on a collar or leash, while adding it is against the law not to do it. Pfeifer says the problem is with enforcing the laws. It's why she started a petition with nearly 700 signatures demanding that the city enforce the laws. 'The thing is, a lot of people don't listen to that because there are really no repercussions right now,' Pfeifer said. FOX21 News has reached out to Colorado Springs City Council members to get their thoughts on this issue. We are still waiting to hear back, but will let you know when we do. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
