The Municipality of Meaford recently announced the closure of several public outdoor spaces in light of the COVID-19 global pandemic. These closures are for the safety of everyone living within our community, as the virus can live on many surfaces long after an infected person has touched it.
This type of transmission not only leaves others highly susceptible to infection, it greatly increases the risk of spreading COVID-19 further within our community.
As we all know, Meaford has an older-than-average demographic, and a smaller-than-average hospital. If the spread of COVID-19 cannot be flattened in our community, our healthcare infrastructure will be quickly overwhelmed.
As a result of the closures, Memorial Park and Beautiful Joe Leash Free Dog Park are now closed. The closure announcement was made the morning of March 31, through a series of email blasts, social media posts, and notices on Meaford.ca.
Additionally, Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA) has issued closures of all trails to visitors, including membership pass holders, until further notice. According to GSCA, those who choose to ignore the closures may be subject to fines under the Trespass to Property Act.
Despite these closures, some Meaford residents have complained of gatherings at the leash-free dog park, citing multiple people gathering to let their dogs get some much-needed play time. That will now change as the gate to the Beautiful Joe leash-free dog park is under lock and key, along with a closure sign from the municipality.
As a dog owner, I get it. Dogs need mental stimulation and physical exercise. For many dogs, being pent up indoors for too long can cause unwanted destructive behaviours. It can also lead to stress disorders, anxiety, and more. Social distancing and the closing of local greenspaces is making it very difficult to keep our dogs well-exercised, especially if they’re from high-energy, working stock.
That being said, having a high-energy dog does not give anyone the right to disobey municipal directives. These closures have been put in place for the safety of everyone in our community. Direct disobedience not only gives local dog owners a bad rep, it significantly increases the risk for community transmission, and could have an impact on facilities being open in the future.
To the best of our knowledge, the COVID-19 virus may live on a dog’s hair for at least several hours. If your dog plays with another dog which has been in contact with an infected person, even if that person simply patted your dog on the head, there is an increased risk of transmission to any person your dog comes in contact with. While dogs cannot contract the virus, their hair can still act as a vehicle to spread it to new people – no different than a doorknob.
While keeping your dog separated from their canine friends can be frustrating, it really is for the best – especially at this critical juncture. It may be several months before the local dog parks, hiking trails, and other greenspaces are reopened, so it’s smart to come up with a new, temporary routine for the time being.
Taking longer and more frequent walks is an excellent way to decrease your dog’s pent-up energy. Try taking different routes, too. But please do not allow your dog to play with other dogs along the way. Social distancing should apply to our pets as much as ourselves.
It is also important to note that some pet-related services have been ordered closed, including dog training and pet grooming. Currently, only veterinarian clinics are permitted to offer pet grooming if absolutely necessary. Veterinary services are now closed, except for emergency situations. Any pet business that is not absolutely essential to keeping animals alive is now ordered to be closed.
Retail pet supply stores are now ordered to be closed, and can only offer delivery or curbside pickup. We continue to offer free delivery to Meaford, Owen Sound, Thornbury, and Collingwood residents. Shop online at www.canadianpetconnection.ca and use code DELIVERY for free delivery of all your pet supplies. And, of course, if you have any questions, please give us a call. We are happy to help.
Let’s all do our part in reducing the spread of COVID-19. As responsible pet owners and members of this amazing community, the time for disciplined action is now. Stay home. Keep your distance. This is how we stop the spread of this highly contagious virus.
We are all in this together. The actions we take now will shape our future.
Brandon Forder, known as The Pet Expert, is vice-president of Canadian Pet Connection, an industry leader in healthy pet lifestyles. Brandon holds multiple certifications in pet nutrition, and has more than twenty-five years’ experience specializing in pet health and behaviour. He has written hundreds of informative pet-related articles for newspapers, magazines, radio, and the popular Ask the Pet Expert Blog. Brandon is highly skilled in pet problem solving, and enjoys teaching others about smart and responsible pet ownership. To learn more, visit www.CanadianPetConnection.ca.
