I have lived in Squamish since 2012 and have witnessed the fast and furious development resulting in scores of new residents over the last couple of years.
However, not a lot has changed with regards to the development of the much needed dog parks that we dog owners have been asking for years.
With the huge influx of new Squamish residents (and their dogs), the need for safe spaces to let our dogs play and run can no longer be put aside.
I am an owner of a three-year-old Alaskan Husky, the year and breed a good indicator of how much exercise this boy requires. Walking him restrained on a six-foot leash isn’t going to cut it.
He needs to play, socialize and run. This is a basic requirement for the physical and mental health of any type and age of dog.
Now, I’m sure you are all aware that Animal Control is cracking down with fines for owners who have their dogs off leash – even in areas that are generally considered to be unofficial dog play areas.
Our friend today was fined $250 for having his well-behaved dog off leash in a grassy area where we all go to let our dogs play.
Animal Control is painfully aware that Squamish desperately needs more off leash dog areas and have been championing to put dog parks in Squamish for many years.
However, when district considers how best to allocate the budget and look at the feasibility of such an undertaking, they see only a small number of dog licenses out there.
This is because not everyone who owns a dog is licensing them (which is the law by the way), so this throws the numbers off.
District confirmed that there are only 1455 active dog licenses to date, which be assured – does not even come close to the actual number of dogs in Squamish.
District would likely not use funds for dog parks when numbers show there aren’t enough dogs in Squamish to justify the spend.
District stated the “staff understand the urgency of this outstanding community issue and will be working with the consultant and stakeholder groups to bring recommendations forward to Council early in the summer [2021].”
I highly encourage all you dog owners out there to license your dog (for most, only $31 per year!).
Your license fee pays for things like the nifty free poo bags that are available at every trailhead; safety, food and shelter for lost dogs and efforts to reunite the dog and owner.
Animal Control works hard to help rescue dogs that are abused and neglected and enforce laws when it comes to dangerous dogs with irresponsible owners.
If we all ensure we license our dogs every year, this will help the district to see that we do need the dog parks!
More information on licensing here: https://squamish.ca/our-services/animal-control/dog-licences/
Please also leave feedback for District to ask for more dog parks:
https://squamish.ca/yourgovernment/projects-and-initiatives/dog-off-leash-areas-pilot-project/
I wrote District the other morning and received a personal response within 30 minutes “your correspondence will appear on the next Council meeting agenda for discussion” (Mar 16).
Proposed off-leash areas:
-Squamish River Dike behind Dog Pound – Off leash everyday all day
-Stawamus River Dike – Valleycliffe – dawn to 9AM and from 4-9PM
-Trail between Squamish Valley Golf Course and Mamquam River – Subject to seasonal spawning closures for bear feeding and salmon spawning seasons. Dawn to 9AM and 4-9PM
-Judd Beach – Brackendale – Dawn to 9AM and 4-9PM
-Merrill Park – Garibaldi Highlands – Dawn to 9AM and 4-9PM
I personally do not agree with imposing these very limiting off leash time frames – as a busy self-employed person I take my dog out as often as I can that works for my schedule; I would find it hard to comply with the times they want to enforce.
Out of all of Squamish, I think these few areas can and should be dedicated to off leash optional.
If we all take the time to license our dogs and write a quick request, our collective voices will be better heard and we can get this done!
Tricia Whiting is a local dog owner.
