Cochrane off-leash dog park advocate Jim Uffelmann is encouraged from his recent meetings with town officials where he brought up a number of concerns with Animal Bylaw 16/2012.
Cochrane off-leash dog park advocate Jim Uffelmann is encouraged from his recent meetings with town officials where he brought up a number of concerns with Animal Bylaw 16/2012.
Uffelmann, an avid park user and administrator of the popular Facebook group ‘Cochrane Dog Park Users', recently had meetings with Coun. Jeff Toews and Mac de Beaudrap, town manager of protective services, where he shared specific concerns with the bylaw, suggesting that the town look further to implement some changes.
“Let's make this a user-friendly document that everyone can understand, ” said Uffelmann, who brought up specific concerns with portions of the bylaw - including what he feels is ‘vague or even misleading language to the point of impacting the intent of the bylaw'.
Examples of these concerns include the lack of defining ‘attack' from ‘bite'; the blanket statement that an animal cannot chase (or kill) another animal, including a varmint such as a coyote (Uffelmann asserts there are potential circumstances where it would be beneficial for an animal to chase or ward off a varmint); lumping a bark, growl and chasing together as ‘threatening behaviours', where in some circumstances these could imply normal dog play; missing clarification on animal licensing; missing limitations on the number of dogs permitted under the control of one individual at a time (this specifically refers to dog walkers); and the absence of defining ‘barking' versus ‘chronic barking'.
While de Beaudrap said it was ‘too premature' to confirm that the town would move forward with some of the changes suggested by Uffelmann, he did say that he would be meeting with Charlene Ruttle, manager of municipal enforcement for the town, this week to assess if amendments to the bylaw would be required.
He said that following their meeting, if changes were determined, they would move forward by meeting with the town's legal department; at this point, de Beaudrap does not feel it's necessary to open up the bylaw in its entirety. Uffelmann reiterated a sentiment that has been appearing with more frequency on local social media threads recently - the need for another off-leash dog park to take mounting pressure off the existing one.
“The development of new off-leash areas would help alleviate much pressure, reduce any conflicts and even assist with traffic issues, ” said Uffelmann.
“Much talk has been made of the area along Hwy 22 behind the Husky (gas) station and an area near Sunset Ridge is often mentioned. Obviously an area near Fireside or Riversong would help… ”
Another criticism that Uffelmann has brought up includes a perceived flawed approach to public consultation to inform the animal bylaw - where an open house was advertised over the 2012 Christmas Holidays, resulting in a low turnout and limited public input.
“I think the town has come a long way with public consultations over the last couple of years, ” said Toews, adding that setting up open houses at downtown locations (not just at the RancheHouse) and improved, clear advertising in both local papers, as well as through social media has been a focus.
Toews said that Uffelmann brought forward some ‘legitimate concerns that can't be brushed off' and that it's important for administration to take a look at the concerns and decide how to move forward.
He said that the town is looking at creating another space for an off-leash park, but an exact location and timeline has yet to be established.
