Duane Hicks
Local dog owners have made it clear they don’t want the town to ban dogs at the “Seven Oaks” area of the Point.
During a public meeting last night, a full slate of residents spoke out against the notion, saying they and their dogs love the area and that issues over dog feces can be addressed through enforcement.
Local resident Stan Hoard said Seven Oaks is a place for everybody to enjoy and prohibiting dogs there is not the answer.
“Enforcement is the answer,” he remarked. “If one dog owner was charged with not picking up after their dog, word of mouth would get out.
“That would cure the problem. Enforcement.”
Hoard suggested enforcement could be done by having a bylaw enforcement officer go to Seven Oaks not in a town vehicle but a privately-owned car, and lay a charge.
“Laying that first charge is the key to it,” he stressed.
As it is, Hoard said the rules aren’t being enforced on the La Verendrye Parkway, either.
He has walked his dog many times along on the riverfront, always on-leash, and many days he’s seen dogs with no leash.
And the amount of dog waste he sees is not acceptable.
“The answer to our problems is a charge, not a warning. That’ll cure all our problems,” Hoard reiterated.
“Everybody should be able to enjoy Seven Oaks.”
Steve Maki, Bob Armit, Lori Germain Crowe, “4 Your Pets” owner Pam Williams, Marilyn Erwin, Terri Zeitlhofer, Carey Basaraba, and Wendy Derendorf also spoke their minds.
They’re all in favour of leaving dog owners to use Seven Oaks as they do now or, in Basaraba’s case, building a dog park elsewhere.
Council also received written submissions from local residents Leanne Spry, Sherree Denby, Betty McLeod, and Dave Erwin on the matter.
Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig noted the reason for the town considering the ban is twofold.
First, the town has received complaints about dog feces at Seven Oaks, as well as dogs running at large (off-leash) in the summer months.
Secondly, the town currently is consulting with Agency One bands to resolve land matters that are in litigation, and Seven Oaks holds great cultural significance for area First Nations.
McCaig said the current bylaws state people should have proper care and control of their dogs, though not everybody does.
But it is tough to catch those who violate the bylaw.
Mayor Roy Avis noted council previously has investigated the idea of having a dog park but it was put on hold due to budget constraints.
Council hasn’t been able to bring that back in recent budgets—and it’s unlikely it will in the near future.
“We do have some ideas of trying to build a dog park,” Mayor Avis noted.
“If anybody knows any way we can raise funding for that, we’d be willing to listen.”
Council now will review the information it received at last night’s meeting.
