Dogs will now need to be on leashes in public parks and not simply under control of the owner. (File photo)
Dogs will need to be on a leash at all times in public parks, Osoyoos council has decided.
This is the most significant of several amendments made Monday to the town’s dog licensing and control bylaw.
Although the town plans to develop a new animal control bylaw, several immediate changes to the existing 1997 bylaw were recommended by Janette Van Vianen, director of corporate services, to clarify situations that have arisen recently.
The existing bylaw said that dogs must be on a leash or under care and control of the owner.
“Due to several incidents whereby the dog got away from the owner and had no leash, this provision is being changed to require leashes at all times,” Van Vianen wrote in a report to council.
Other changes provide clarity about where dogs are allowed on the waterfront.
At Cottonwood Park, the bylaw is being amended to specify that dogs are not permitted on the beach, but they are allowed in the park area if they are on a leash.
A part of the bylaw saying that no dogs are allowed in swimming areas is being clarified to indicated that designated dog swimming areas are an exception.
Dogs continue to be prohibited on school grounds.
Council voted to give all three readings of the bylaw revision at once as was recommended by town administration.
Mayor Sue McKortoff noted that the town has received a number of written complaints about dogs, in particular about people failing to pick up after their dogs.
People need to be responsible, she said.
The dog bylaw has been amended four times since it was first passed in 1997.
A new animal control bylaw is currently in development and is included in the business plan for Corporate Services.
Town to apply to feds for funds to pave canal trail
The canal trail will be paved and historical information signage added if the Town of Osoyoos is successful in its bid to received Canada 150 Infrastructure Program federal funds.
Council voted Monday to ask administration to submit a request for the improvements up to a maximum of $250,000.
The program provides federal funds to improve existing community infrastructure to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017.
Although just announced in May, the application deadline is June 17 and $46 million in total is allocated for western provinces.
“Of major consideration is the need to provide a 50 per cent match to the program grant,” cautioned Barry Romanko, town chief administrative officer.
While administration provided a list of four other possible options, only the canal trail improvements have a budgeted source for the matching funds with Resort Municipality funding, Romanko said.
Estimates for paving and installing of trail lighting total $423,000, but Romanko suggested the town can add light standards at a future date and only install the concrete bases, ducts and wiring in order to keep the costs within the budget.
Mayor Sue McKortoff noted that the paving will make the trail accessible to those with disabilities.
Council to consider policy for low-income rec program users
Council has asked administration to prepare a policy recommendation for a subsidy for low-income users of town recreation programs.
In a report to council, Sarah Dynneson, program supervisor, said there is currently an unofficial policy to allow children into programs free based on financial need, but there is no policy for adults. Council will consider the options at a future meeting.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
