Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A controversial requirement for dog owners to carry bags while walking their dogs is back in the revamped dog bylaw after city councillors demanded that administration re-include it Monday.

A sign at the bottom of Tin Can Hill reminds dog owners that they are legally required to clean up after their pets. Administration will review the city's dog bylaw once more after city council asked for the reintroduction of a poop bag requirement during a committee meeting on Monday. - Cody Punter/NNSL photo

Dennis Marchiori, the city's director of public safety, told council the requirement to carry bags was removed from the proposed bylaw after the city received complaints from people that making them carry bags while walking their dogs to pick up after them was going too far.

Under a previous version of the proposed bylaw made public last spring, dog owners faced fines up to $2,500 for violating any portion of the bylaw. The latest version contains penalties specific to the offence, but the provision to carry bags has been cut.

"The thing that came from some of the comments, as well as the survey, was that somebody might have gone out with four or five bags with two dogs and they use them all," said Marchiori.

"The intent was not to put ourselves against the dog owners who possibly are cleaning up after their dogs all the time, and may have used all their bags."

Despite the argument, councillors insisted the onus remained on dog owners to ensure city streets were free of feces.

"To me, what's inconvenient what is unsettling is the amount of feces on our street," said Coun. Adrian Bell.

"I think the status quo is unacceptable. Residents and tourists should not have to dodge dog feces."

Bell produced a small plastic container during the committee meeting to show council what he carries to hold his disposable plastic bags while out walking his dog.

The container fitted in the palm of his hand and can hold up to 16 bags at a time.

He suggested that not only should the city enforce a bag requirement for owners walking their dogs, but the city should consider handing bags out when people register their dogs, along with a pamphlet that describes the city's dog bylaws and the penalties associated with breaking them.

Bell's motion received approval from several councillors, and will now be reviewed by administration.

Resident Bob McKay showed up at Monday's meeting to make a presentation about the new proposed dog bylaw.

McKay owns seven dogs and said he was in favour of seeing the bag requirement included in the bylaw.

"One of the main concerns that I actually had was the removal of that. I believe that if I am a dog owner, I don't care if it's 20 dogs, if I'm going to take them out for a walk, I should be able to pick up after them. If I can't, then I should get a fine," said McKay.

"If I have to carry 40 bags with me, so be it."

The other controversial measure that had previously been proposed by council - placing a limit on the number of dogs someone can own - was removed from the proposed bylaw.

While council agreed that there shouldn't be a limit on the number of dogs someone can own, it was suggested there should be a special licence for people who own more than four dogs.

"I don't think any reasonable person would argue that four dogs is a reasonable limit," said Bell.

Details of what the licensing would require were not discussed, although it was suggested that consulting with neighbours in the area should be recommended as part of the approval process.

McKay said he would have to wait to see what council proposed before he passed judgment on the idea.

He said he recognized that he was in a unique situation and that, in principle, he would not be against making people get a licence.

"Personally, I don't want to put special limitations on myself, but I also believe that owning seven, eight, 10 dogs is not the norm either," said McKay.

"If I have to go through a special process ... A special permit, I don't have a problem with that."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.