TIE DIED
The city's bylaw officers are going to crack down on dog owners who leave their pets tied up outside public areas, such as on sidewalks adjacent to stores.
But don't expect a ticketing blitz-yet, says Tom Hammel, the city's assistant director and deputy chief licence inspector.
"We're going to begin by educating the public," Hammel said. "It's evident the public isn't aware of the bylaw."
I called Hammel after hearing a woman on CBC Radio speaking about a recent incident during which she went to a store, tied her dog up outside and while shopping spotted a bylaw officer attempting to put her pet in the back of a city truck.
The woman was not happy with the $250 fine she received under Section 4.2 of the animal control bylaw that reads, "A person who keeps a dog must not permit, suffer, or allow the dog to be on a street or public place unless the dog is under the immediate charge and control of a competent person by means of a leash that is not more than 2.5 metres long or another bylaw allows the dog to be off-leash under certain circumstances."
Hammel says the violation falls under the same section that deals with off-leash dogs so it's difficult to track how many of the 300 tickets written last year involved pets tied up outside.
Hammel notes there were three bite incidents reported last year involving dogs tied outside to a pole or fence.
Two of those incidents involved humans, while the third was an attack on another dog. Hammel says while the violation might seem innocent enough, a dog left without an owner can be a danger to small children or other dogs and is at risk of being stolen.
"According to the bylaw a dog must be controlled by its owner," Hammel said. "It's not good enough to tie it to a pole or a fence.
LAUGHING MATTER-
Last week I wrote about the A-maze-ing Laughter sculpture installation at English Bay and the efforts by the non-profit Vancouver Biennale to raise enough money to purchase it and loan it back to the city for 30 years. In that column I wrote how much I not only like the sculpture, but also enjoy watching the reaction from everyone who passes by.
But to my surprise A-maze-ing Laughter is not a hit with everyone. I received an anonymous letter this week from a reader who took the time to cut out the top half of my Central Park column, write a note across it and then mail it to me via Canada Post. The note reads in its entirety, "Sandra, there are many of us who would pay to get rid of these monstrosities. NOT A FAN."
I appreciate hearing all opinions, so thanks for taking the time to write.
To see a copy of the note, check out the online version of this Central Park column at vancourier.com.
[email protected] Twitter: @sthomas10
