IT’S time to talk about whether or not dogs should be welcome at crowded outdoor community events says one Terrace city councillor.
At a September council meeting, councillor Brian Downie raised concern over pooches mingling with crowds in Terrace, regardless of whether or not they’re kept on a leash.
“Some pets get stressed,” he said after the meeting. “And there’s issues with cleaning up afterwards… and you know, probably issues with dogs being stepped on.”
Downie said he think sits unfair to both people and pets in outdoor crowd situations if people bring their dogs.
“Not that anyone is at fault,” he said. “But [the community] ought to have a discussion about what’s appropriate.”
Downie mentioned Riverboat Days specifically, an event which attracts people from across B.C.’s northwest.
“Riverboat Days gets bigger and bigger,” he said. “It’s not fair to dogs or other people [to have dogs mingling with the crowds.]”
Downie said, each year after the event council looks at what can be done better next year, which is why he brought it up in council.
But a bylaw about dogs in the park is not necessarily the answer, he said.
“Its hard to enforce,” he said, noting that having dog-free outdoor events could only come after the community weighs in on whether they agree and how to go about it.
There is currently one outdoor event in Terrace which bans dogs.
“The farmers market is very clear about dogs not being brought in,” said Downie.
