As much as Irene Murphy loves taking her dog to Shubie Park in Dartmouth, lately, she’s been avoiding it.
Not because Jet, her black Labrador retriever, gravitates toward the muddy grass as spring approaches, but because other dogs won’t leave hers alone.
“We avoid the off-leash area, but even walking on the on-leash trails there are still dogs running around off-leash,” Murphy said in a recent interview.
Most of the time, Murphy said it’s not the other dog she’s worried about.
“Jet is still working on how he reacts to new dogs,” she said. “I wish other owners would realize not every person or dog is going to be super happy to have your dog run up to them.”
There are several designated off-leash areas at parks across Halifax Regional Municipality, such as the Hemlock Ravine Park and Dartmouth Common. People can also let their dogs off-leash at certain municipal sports fields, which vary in the summer and winter.
And then there are areas like Point Pleasant Park that have specific rules for certain areas. For example, there are to be no dogs — off-leash or on — allowed on Sailor Memorial Way after 10 a.m.
But lately, some owners have been letting their dogs off-leash wherever they please, said Coun. Waye Mason (Halifax South Downtown).
“Like so many things, I think it’s been made worse because of COVID,” the District 7 councillor said.
“And the thing is, if you’re fragile, if you’re a senior, if you’re older, if you’re scared of dogs, if you have small children, it makes the park unwelcoming.”
Mason said there tends to be an increase in complaints every three or four years about dogs roaming free where they shouldn’t be.
"We're just trying to balance needs," Mason said. "Yes, dogs need to go outside for walks and stuff, but lots of folks don't feel comfortable with dogs off-leash. We're just asking people to follow the rules and if they're in an off-leash area to make sure their dog is under control."
Increased enforcement
Signs to remind people of the rules on Sailor Memorial Way will be going up in Point Pleasant Park soon, he said.
Maggie-Jane Spray, a spokeswoman for HRM, said there has also been more enforcement because of the higher number of complaints.
“There has been an increase in patrols due to the increase in complaints filed with 311 for Point Pleasant Park and other locations,” Spray said.
“The complaints range from dog attacks to dogs being off-leash in on-leash areas of the park.”
Under the bylaws of responsible ownership and respecting municipal parks, owners can be fined between $237.50 to $352.50, depending on the type of violation.
More off-leash dog parks considered
For people who prefer to let their dog run free but find it too crowded or too far to get to an off-leash park, there might be one coming your way.
HRM staff recently held public engagement sessions for two potential new off-leash areas in Eastern Passage and Spryfield, as well as at the Rehab Lands in Cole Harbour.
“Council has already approved designation of a portion of Don Bayer Park in Burnside for an off-leash area,” Spray said, adding the project is “currently in the detailed design stage of development, with further work identified in the capital budget.”