A special City of Prince George committee of council is convening over the issue of unleashed dogs, and it's asking local citizens to provide feedback.
The city's bylaws currently prohibit off-leash dogs within its boundaries except in designated areas - and those areas may soon increase.
The Off Leash Advisory Committee of Council invites residents to attend open houses to provide your feedback on potential off leash area policies, locations, design, development, stewardship, costs and operations.
Feedback will be used in the development of an off-leash program that will be presented to council for potential adoption.
Increased and improved off-leash areas may attract owners who let their dogs to roam free, and decrease off-leash problems in non-designated areas.
The Citizen recently reported that a local senior had concerns over the amount of off-leash dogs he encounters on undesignated trails.
He criticized the city for lack of enforcement of animal control bylaws.
The city's bylaw services manager Guy Gusdale pointed to Prince George's limited resources and heavy workload for the situation.
Dog attacks and dogs at large without their owners - particularly near schools, playgrounds and other areas with children - are the top priorities for animal control officers, he said.
Individuals with concerns of their own are invited to make their thoughts heard at several open houses throughout the month of June.
The open houses will be held in a number of central locations as follows:
Wednesday, June 8, 5 to 8 p.m., P.G. Public Library Bob Harkins Branch
Tuesday, June 14, 4 to 7 p.m., Ginter's Meadow at the west end of Massey Drive
Thursday, June 16, 5 to 8 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall
Monday, June 20, 5 to 8 p.m., P.G. Public Library Nechako Branch
Tuesday, June 21, 4 to 7 p.m., Moore's Meadow at the Foothills Boulevard parking lot
Those unable to attend an open house event but hoping to review the information and provide feedback are asked to visit the City of Prince George website at www.princegeorge.ca.
Public computer access is also available at the City Hall Service Centre and at the P.G. Public Library during regular hours of operation.
The public input survey will remain open until Friday, Aug. 5.
