A petition that aims to stop proposed rules that would restrict dog owners from letting their dogs run in most Saanich parks without a leash is nearly its goal of 7,500 signatures.
“The extreme leash-only recommendations in the proposed Saanich People, Pets and Parks Strategy have to be stopped,” reads a post on Change.org. “These recommendations don’t align with the views of Saanich residents.”
The final draft strategy is set to be presented to council at its June 26 committee of the whole meeting.
Saanich dog owners are vowing to stage a protest at that meeting, including a group that rallied Saturday at their monthly clean up on PKOLS.
“The group persevered despite feeling frustrated and angry at Saanich’s off-leash component in the draft People, Pets and Park Strategy,” reads a post.
Saanich has said that dogs are still welcome in parks, but under the new rules they will have to be on a leash unless in a designated off-leash park. Saanich has 172 parks, but dog owners say not enough of them have off-leash spaces.
“Dog owners in Saanich are disappointed in the direction the strategy has gone,” said Trish Fougner of the Facebook group Happy Dogs in Saanich Parks. “We have been involved in this process for two years. It has felt agenda-driven and has not reflected the wishes and needs for our community, in particular the off-leash measures”
Dog owners are gathering at noon on Thursday in front of Saanich Municipal Hall to voice their concerns.
They will be attending the Saanich Council meeting on June 26 to share their concerns and stories to council and mayor.
The petition can be found here.
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