Re: Pet pollution a nuisance, Oak Bay News, June 13.
I read with interest the letter from Mr. Sirois regarding the possible increase of dog pollution if the municipality opens up McNeill Bay to increased dog access.
First, I would like to say I agree with the writer that dedicated dog parks are much needed in the municipality and elsewhere, as there has been an increase of dog ownership over the past few years. However, the reality is that in Oak Bay in particular, there is no land available for this purpose.
As one of the coauthors of the Dog Management Report 2012 that was submitted to Oak Bay council, we felt the best option was to allow an increase in access to McNeill Bay, which council unanimously endorsed.
Dog-friendly does not mean that dogs are free to violate the animal bylaws but rather it means that Oak Bay is set up in a way that dogs can coexist easily in the community with benefits and services, without detrimental effects to non-dog owners or public spaces.
Christine Ash
Oak Bay