The North Shore News has received several letters related to West Vancouver council's recent decision to open up the Centennial Seawalk and other popular public walking areas to leashed dogs. Here is a selection of those responses.
Dear Editor:
Three unmuzzled pit bulls pulling a 98-pound dog walker meet an elderly lady with a chihuahua.
Keep your pepper spray and sword canes handy for Dogageddon. I predict a surge in sales of metal walking sticks in the area, and possibly steak knives and machetes.
Thanks West Van council.
Philip Trueman
West Vancouver
Dear Editor:
I disagree with the writer’s opinion that allowing dogs on leashes on the seawalk would affect the enjoyment of the walking public. I think the writer is ignoring the facts and the benefits of having dogs on the Seawalk.
First of all, the writer claims that the Seawalk was always meant for pedestrians only, but this is not true. According to the district’s website, the Seawalk was originally built in 1914 as a “promenade for the enjoyment of the public and their horses.” Horses are not pedestrians, and they are much larger and potentially more dangerous than dogs. Therefore, the Seawalk has a history of accommodating different types of users, and it is not fair to exclude dogs and their owners.
Secondly, the writer assumes that the vocal minority is exercising power over the silent majority, but this is not supported by any evidence. In fact, the statistics show that dog ownership is very common and popular in Canada, and especially in West Vancouver.
According to the latest Canadian Pet Population Survey, 35 per cent of Canadian households own a dog, and this percentage is higher in British Columbia (39 per cent) and West Vancouver (42 per cent). This means that almost half of the households in West Vancouver have a dog, and they would likely appreciate the opportunity to use the Seawalk with their pets. Therefore, the writer is not representing the majority of the public, but rather a minority of non-dog owners.
Thirdly, the writer overlooks the benefits of allowing dogs on the Seawalk, both for the dogs and their owners, and for the community at large. Dogs need regular exercise and socialization, and the Seawalk provides a safe and scenic environment for them to do so. Dog owners also benefit from walking their dogs, as it improves their physical and mental health, and helps them bond with their pets and other dog owners. Moreover, having dogs on the Seawalk can enhance the liveliness and diversity of the public space, and foster a sense of belonging and inclusion among the residents. Dogs can also act as a deterrent for crime and vandalism, and provide comfort and joy to people who may not have pets of their own.
In conclusion, I think the writer’s argument is flawed and biased, and does not reflect the reality and the needs of the West Vancouver community. Allowing dogs on leashes on the Seawalk is a reasonable and beneficial decision, and I hope that the council and the public will embrace it with an open mind and a positive attitude.
Francisco Viana
West Vancouver
Dear Editor:
As an ardent dog lover, I must honestly say that the West Van seawall along Ambleside and Dundarave is no place for dogs on leashes.
In my decades of being a district resident and dog owner, I never felt there was a shortage of parks and areas to walk and run our dogs! Over the many years, I have also enjoyed walking the seawall and I cannot understand how this change is a good idea.
There is already congestion with joggers, strollers, people with canes and walkers, and those walking two and three abreast. To add dogs on leashes who may wander a few feet from there owners seems to be a tripping accident waiting to happen.
If the district is hell-bent on making this change, I hope that they will be equally enthusiastic in regard to monitoring the situation, and be prepared to reverse their decision if necessary.
Wendi Vaisler
West Vancouver
Dear Editor:
Anne Macdonald is right. The West Van Council is wrong. It had no reason for opening the Seawalk to dogs, and the absence of public consultation is deeply disturbing. Council should reverse its decision immediately.
Roddy MacKenzie
West Vancouver
Dear Editor:
I agree with Anne Macdonald: there was no need to open the Centennial Seawalk to off-leash dogs. I am a dog owner and love dogs but there are numerous areas to walk my dog, both on and off-leash without adding this section of the seawalk. I believe it’s equally important to have spaces where people can walk and enjoy the scenery without our furry friends. I hope council will reconsider this move.
Heather Kaart
West Vancouver
Dear Editor:
Today I saw the foreseeable. On my walk on the West Van seawall between 18th and 24th streets, I met two dogs on extendable leashes, each of which proved challenging to get around, and two piles of dog poop, both of which had already been stepped in by some unsuspecting pedestrian.
Dogs on the Seawalk? Where is the bylaw (and bylaw enforcement) of the humans with dogs on the Seawalk?
Heather Tak
West Vancouver
Dear Editor:
I’m appalled that West Van council has now allowed dogs on the Centennial wall. It’s always been a treat to visit.
Kathleen McClure
West Vancouver
Dear Editor:
Dogs are allowed on Centennial Seawalk in West Vancouver already. Just a fence along keeps them in check providing some sense of order for the rest of us. Is that not good enough? Why do we need to ruin that pleasure for a benefit of one group?
Stoyana Dunn
West Vancouver
Dear Editor:
Totally agree with Ms. Macdonald’s letter.
Allowing dogs (on leash) to have access to the pedestrian portion of the seawall is simply wrong-headed.
Currently strollers, walkers, runners and baby carriages can navigate the seawall walkway unimpeded apart from the occasional but becoming all more prevalent inconsiderate bicyclists, skateboarders, e-scooters or Segways. Allowing dogs on leash will no doubt give rise to a number of issues seriously detracting from the casual carefree ambience of the seawall including:
- A minefield of dog feces. Not all dog owners are respectful or diligent: “Oh, I forgot the doggy bag” despite convenient dispensers.
- Leashes are a definite tripping hazard particularly where the dog owner is momentarily distracted or is using a long-line leash. Bear in mind a lot of young children can run helter-skelter on the seawall without having to be mindful of obstacles such as leashes or irritated dogs.
- Some of the many elderly walkers are not agile enough to quickly dodge an errant dog or imperceptible leash which will no doubt lead to a few broken hips.
- Dogs will inevitably get into fights risking other dogs and passers-by; dog behaviour is distinctly more taciturn in the exclusive dog path than when leashed with owner.
- The four-metre-wide seawall with a rocky breakwater on one side and a fence on the other side does not provide the maneuverability area provided by a park to avoid dog obstacles.
- Some cultures have a fear or abhorrence of dogs and would lead to reduced use of this beautiful, unique B.C. feature. Pit bull and other notorious dog breeds will create some anxiety amongst seawall users including young children.
- The lack of dogs on the seawall pedestrian walkway is a drawing card benefiting local businesses.
- There will inevitably be confrontations or “walker rage” between walkers and disrespectful, inconsiderate dog owners.
Council should seriously consider excluding the Seawalk pedestrian walkway from the ‘’all parks” access for dogs on leash.
I love dogs and have no fear or aversion to them.
Rob Ellaway
West Vancouver
Dear Editor:
I totally support the letter submitted by Anne Macdonald. As a senior with mobility issues, this seawall was a place where walking along the waterfront felt safe from dogs jumping up on me. There are many dog-friendly areas and I am disappointed that this by-law change has taken away a no-dog safety zone.
Val Mason
West Vancouver
Dear Editor:
It seems that allowing dogs free reign on the West Vancouver Seawalk was decided at a meeting where the outcome did not represent the public feeling as a whole!
In the past two days of walking on the Seawalk – when allowing dogs and dog owners this freedom has not yet been launched and/or no signs have been posted to the contrary (the signs still say no dogs) – I have witnessed dogs not on a lead running fearlessly amongst the population. There are also dogs on a very long lead that may impact others on the Seawalk. The population along the seawall often consists of elderly folk who walk with a cane, walker or wheelchair and now they not only need to manoeuvre themselves with their devices but now they need to look out for dogs that are on the loose!
Is this council really representing the community? Have they even listened to the people who have voted them into office?
Tina Brown
West Vancouver
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