Yellowknife (Aug 01/03) - The City of Yellowknife needs a dog park, according to many local citizens.

To raise awareness of the lack of such a facility, Robin Weber of the NWT SPCA gave a presentation to council, Monday evening, asking for consideration of a dog park for the city.

"Dogs contribute immeasurably to their family's quality of life and do much good in our world," Weber told council.

She presented a petition with 320 names of residents who agree the city needs a dog park. Laura Debassige, a member of the Gold City Kennel Club says dogs, like people, need an area in which to roam and play.

"In an area like the sand pit, we share the space with motorized vehicles," she says, indicating an increased level of danger is therefore present.

"The issue of liability is greater," Debassige says.

Because of the location of this area -- outside the city past the airport -- it is not easily accessible to many.

Utilizing existing local parks would be ideal, Debassige says, as a minimum of restructuring of the area would be necessary, at a minimum cost.

She cited the local Racquet Club area as a good example.

Although Debassige says no other social group must pay for their facilities, such as a curling club or a ball diamond, both the club and the SPCA are willing to contribute funds for the development of such an area.

A benefit to the city in having a dog park is also decreased vandalism, she notes.

"There's activity there. There's always people there."

Debassige also says such an area would ensure dogs and owners are safe and at a level of comfort.

"The idea is integration, not separation."