Despite Whistler’s Animal Responsibility Bylaw requiring all dogs to be on leash (outside of designated off-leash areas), off-leash dogs continue to be an issue in the resort.
A recent letter to council on the matter prompted a short discussion at the July 6 council meeting.
“I don’t know how, culturally, we change this in the community, because it’s just common. No one leashes their dog ever, it seems to me, so I don’t now how you switch the culture to create that,” said Councillor Ralph Forsyth.
“I would love for someone to come to us with a presentation about how you change the culture of the community to make people want to keep their dog on a leash.”
Coun. Jen Ford agreed, noting that off-leash dogs are common on the Valley Trail and in Whistler’s parks.
“It’s a bit concerning that we can’t wrap our heads around this, because not everyone loves dogs jumping on them,” Ford said.
“I love dogs, but I think that everyone has a right to feel safe, and dogs are unpredictable, so put your dog on a leash, please.”
Chief administrative officer Virginia Cullen pointed out the Resort Municipality of Whistler had a dogs-on-leashes education campaign two years ago.
“We just haven’t had the bandwidth … but we will be bringing it back,” Cullen said.
“Staff knows there is an issue and that there is some work we can do around communications that support this.”
