Stephen Vance, Staff
In the 11 years that Hugh and Kim Grafton have lived in their Bridge Street home, they’ve dealt with their share of dogs running loose. They say the problem is getting worse, and they want the municipality to do something about it.
The Graftons say that the source of their problem is the soon-to-be-renamed waterfront park adjacent to the Coast Guard station, a short walk from their home. Dog owners frequent the park, and with some of those owners not leashing their dogs, some of those off-leash dogs end up on their property, making them hesitant to allow their grandchildren to play outside when they visit.
“We checked when we bought to ensure this wasn’t a leash-free park,” said the couple during a recent interview. “It’s getting worse, and we complained, and we thought something would get done, but it seems to be getting worse.”
The couple says that confusing signs posted in the park don’t make it clear enough that dogs must be on leashes, and they would like to see more patrols of the park by the municipal bylaw enforcement officer in order to enforce the leash requirement.
“The last three weekends in a row, we’ve had people at our house visiting, including my daughter and her grandchildren, and we’ve had to be inside (because of dogs running loose),” said Kim Grafton.
On one recent weekend, the couple captured a dog that they found on their porch in the early evening, and held it in a shed while they contacted the police. They say that when the dog owner did arrive to retrieve the dog, Kim was struck by the dog owner, adding new fear to an already frustrating situation.
“I’ve never been struck by anyone in my life, so I was a little bit in shock. I just want it resolved,” explained Kim.
Her husband would like to see the municipality hire additional staff for bylaw enforcement, “even if it costs an extra $30 per year on my taxes.”
Meaford’s Bylaw Enforcement Officer, Holly Hynes, told The Independent that with just one full-time officer on staff, bylaw enforcement operates on a complaint basis.
“We have a complaint-based model, as do most municipalities, due to limited resources. Proactive enforcement is completed on patrol for approximately 8-10 hours per week for public safety concerns such as signs, parking, and dogs at large. However, when call demand is high those hours may be reduced,” explained Hynes. “Our contract seasonal Municipal Law Enforcement Officer will be starting soon, and does assist with more frequent proactive patrols after regular business hours, nightly park warden patrols and the licencing of dogs within our municipality.”
Hynes says that Meaford’s care of animals and control of dogs bylaw does not permit dogs to be off-leash except in specified areas in Memorial Park, and at the off-leash dog park located on Aiken Street adjacent to the municipal waste water treatment plant. The leash-free park was the result of a Beautiful Joe Heritage Society initiative in partnership with the municipality. It opened in 2013, and features separate fenced areas for large and small dogs, water taps, and baggies and trash cans for keeping the park clean.
Improved signs (see image) reminding those using parks of the leash requirement will soon be posted in all Meaford parks, according to Hynes.
“I had a meeting on Friday (May 6) with Parks, Recreation and Culture. Signs for all parks, (12 x 18) are in process of being made, and I am aiming for all signs to be up in parks before May long weekend,” Hynes advised.
Hynes advises that if you encounter a dog running loose that is posing a public menace, you should contact the OPP at their non-emergency number (1-888-310-1122), or 9-1-1 if necessary.
If the encounter with a roaming dog is deemed safe and there is no immediate threat, Hynes advises “Call the Municipal Law Enforcement emergency number 1-519-538-1060 Ext 1134, then press 1, and we will respond accordingly. The person who found the dog, if they feel comfortable, may hold temporarily in their care and custody to keep the dog safe. He/she may see if the dog has a tag to help to try to find the owner. The resident who found the dog would need to provide location and description of the dog to help assist the Municipal Officer so they can start an occurrence and post to Facebook to advise the community of a found dog. If the owner comes along, release dog to owner and kindly advise owner that Canine Control was contacted to assist and is responding to this location.”
When contacted by The Independent for comment on the problem of off-leash dogs at the park, which will soon be renamed David Johnston Park in recognition of an upcoming visit to the community by Canada’s Governor General, Meaford Mayor Barb Clumpus said that she had been made aware of the situation by the Graftons, and she encourages all dog owners to be responsible, and follow the leash requirement.
“It is important to encourage pet owners to be responsible, to let their animals off-leash in designated areas only, and to recognize that not everyone welcomes the approach of a dog; sometimes the little ones are the most aggressive,” said Clumpus.
