Spectacular sun
Glorious weather expected through summer season Page A3
Earth’s Option Cremation & Burial Services
SCHOOLS: Lambrick kids win big at science fair /A4 NEWS: ‘Confusing’ blue box program debuts /A18 SPORTS: Guinness Record attempt falls short /A19
778-440-8500 earthsoption.com
Victoria’s Contracted Provider to the Memorial Society of BC
SAANICHNEWS Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Watch for breaking news at WWW.VICNEWS.CoM
Sean Roper/News intern
Amelia Allen obeys the summertime dog restrictions on Gyro beach by walking with Bernie west of the stormwater outfall. Saanich pound officers say many other dog owners disregard rules that prohibit the animals from being on the popular beach, as well as at Cordova Bay and Mount Douglas beaches, and Whitehead Park.
Pooch prohibition poses problems Summertime sees dogs banned from four of 170 parks Kyle Slavin News staff
Summertime on Saanich beaches appears to be when many dog owners want what they can’t have. Case in point: man’s best friend is keeping Saanich pound officers busy at Gyro beach, Cordova Bay beach, Mount Douglas Park beach and Whitehead Park (Prospect Lake), the only four parks in Saanich where these animals aren’t
allowed in the summer months. “It’s about public safety. These are highly utilized beaches and parks when the weather warms up; lots of kids and families,” said Saanich pound inspector Susan Ryan. “It’s only these four parks that restrict dogs in the summer; these four parks, that’s all we’re asking.” From May 1 to August 31, dogs are prohibited from Gyro beach and Cordova Bay beach after 9 a.m. daily. (At Gyro beach, the animals are allowed west of the stormwater outfall.) Dogs are completely restricted at Mount Doug (in the section of the park north of Mount Douglas Parkway) and at Whitehead Park.
But Ryan says she and her colleagues are running into many dog owners in these spots who knowingly flout the rules and become aggressive and rude when they’re informed that their dog isn’t allowed there.
“Please respect the bylaw and go to one of the 160 other parks in Saanich that allow dogs.” - Pound inspector Susan Ryan “Our goal is education – we don’t want to go to that level of giving you a ticket,” she said. “As the resistance is increasing though, we’re just going to give ISTING
PLEASE SEE: Dog park options, Page A13
N OCEANT FRO
NEW L
MLS 336659
MLS #335364
5504 Alderly Road - $679,000
250.744.3301
months. The warm weather bring with it more dog attacks, barking complaints and dogs left in parked vehicles. “When the days get warmer we get hundreds of emergency calls to rescue dogs whose lives are endangered because they are left in hot cars by their guardians,” said Lorie Chortyk, the BC SPCA’s general manager of community relations. “Many well-meaning guardians leave their dogs unattended in parked cars while they run errands. Tragically, this can lead to serious heatstroke and even death for their pets.”
tickets. And it’s not one person every hour, it’s constant. These parks are very well signed. It’s just a constant disregard for the bylaw.” Having your dog in a prohibited area comes with a minimum $100 ticket. Pound officers and the Saanich Police Department ask dog owners to avoid these few restricted areas, as they and their animals are welcome at the more than 160 parks in the municipality. “There are many other beaches and parks where you can be with your dog all year round, off leash,” Ryan said. Dog-related issues increase exponentially in the summer
|
1667 Stuart Park Terrace - $619,900
WWW.ROXANNEBRASS.COM
|
4797 Timber Place
$1,129,000
REMAXROXANNE@SHAW.CA