LUNENBURG - Apparently unleashed dogs are causing a bit of a problem on Lunenburg's trail system.

 Deputy Mayor Jamie Myra, who raised the issue at a recent sitting of council, said he has not only had complaints from a number of citizens who regularly walk the trails about the issue, but he has himself also experienced unleashed animals on the trail on a pair of occasions this year.

 "I guess I don't have a big problem with the dogs running or walking with the actual owner, but what happens on that trail so often is that some almost use it as a mini dog park," he explained. "The owners are running and letting the dog go 100 feet ahead of them or 100 feet behind them."

 Deputy Mayor Myra said he is aware of several incidents over the past five years where leashed dogs have been attacked by their unleashed counterparts while on the trail and of one individual who had "the sleeves ripped off his coat," by someone else's dog.

 He said along with the adult dog owners and non-owners who use the trail, there are a lot of children who do, as well.

 "I, for one, am not the most comfortable person around dogs, so I certainly can see where people are coming from," he said.

 The deputy mayor indicated he feels that dogs should be leashed "at all times," while within town limits adding that "we've been very lucky there hasn't been a serious incident with a dog.

 "A dog is an animal and you never know when they may turn."

 Council looked at the institution of a leash bylaw in 2004 and again in 2008 after a complaint was received from a citizen whose dog was attacked by another, unleashed animal.

 In both cases, however, the matter went no further than the discussion stage.

 This time council opted to defer the matter to their next meeting and seek input from members of the Lunenburg War Memorial Community Centre committee who oversee the trails.

advertisement

posted on 07/27/10