Calgary urged to limit how many dogs can be loose at once

How many dogs is too many for dog walkers to manage at off-leash areas?

That's the question Coun. Sean Chu has asked city council to determine, after hearing from his constituents in Ward 4 that a few rogue dog-walkers are messing with the off-leash areas.

Chu, who says he's a lifelong dog owner, told the Calgary Eyeopener on Wednesday that he recently visited an off-leash area to check it out for himself.

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"I was there two weeks ago at the park between 14th and 19th Street, with the Triwood Community Association, and … with my own eyes, saw one person with eight dogs and they all were in the off-leash area," he said.

"They were really friendly dogs, mind you. However, the dogs were everywhere!"

Chu says he's heard from constituents that some dog walkers are showing up at off-leash areas with as many as a dozen dogs, and that's causing problems.

"A lot of people are complaining ... that there are so many irresponsible dog owners and they're causing a lot of trouble for everybody else," Chu said.

He adds he's not picking on all dog owners or dog walkers.

"It's always the minority of the bad, irresponsible people ruining it for everybody else," he said.

Setting limits

Chu doesn't know how many dogs is too many but wants potential dog walker limits included in a review of bylaws the city general manager is undertaking in the first quarter next year.

"I'm no expert, but I just know that [there's] no way one person can look after up to 12 dogs.… I believe in Toronto it's six. Should we set it at six? Maybe that's a good starting point to look into." 

Toronto does limit dog walkers to six, and many off-leash areas are off-limits to professional dog walkers. 

A council proposal last year in Victoria, B.C., would have limited the number of dogs to three, with dog walkers being allowed eight, but the proposal wasn't passed.

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'How can you remember all the locations?'

Chu questioned how any individual can manage to pick up after as many as a dozen unleashed dogs.

"If you pick up one dropping — it takes you a few seconds — what happens if the other five or other 10 are doing the same thing? How can you remember all the locations?

Chu added that he would like to involve the dog walking industry in formulating a new policy.

Responsible pet ownership

The City of Calgary released a responsible pet ownership statement on Wednesday, reminding pet owners to maintain control and care of their animals.

"All Calgarians have the right to enjoy our parks, and the safety of owners and their beloved pets is of utmost importance. Just because your dog is in an off-leash area, that does not mean they can be out of control," Damian Cole, a bylaw superintendent, said in the statement.

"Your dog must remain in your sight, and be able to respond to you when you call it to come back."

The city's Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw is available online.

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With files from the Calgary Eyeopener.