From the Maple Ridge Times article:

"We tried to make it clear what the community expectations are", said Brock McDonald.

Judging by the information contained on the Maple Ridge community web site about caring for your dog, I'd say that Maple Ridge is not in touch with what people want and expect these days.

I find it alarming that the Maple Ridge community web site does nothing to prevent or protect dogs from being chained or confined to a yard 24/7. In fact if you read the entire site, it serves as more of a "how to" model for chaining and keeping yard dogs. They make it sound perfectly acceptable, despite how many experts within the dog world say otherwise.

Here are a few quotes taken from http://www.mapleridge.org/community/spca/your_pet.html

"Your dog must be confined to private property by cord, chain, or by fencing that is high enough and strong enough to prevent your dog from escaping."

" If you must tie your dog up, do not tie him up with a choke chain. They could strangle!"

The Maple Ridge web site is also filled with contradictions about what it's recommending to people.How can it tell people how best to chain and keep a yard dog in one section, and then tell people how to prevent a dog from barking and disturbing the neighborhood, without ever stating that chaining and keeping a yard dog is the root cause?

http://www.mapleridge.org/community/spca/barking_dogs.pdf

"A barking problem is much easier to prevent than cure. If possible, do not isolate the dog; they too like company. Introduce the dog to the chain or pen slowly, and for short durations at first. Play with him, make it "fun".

"The problem barker is one who has learned to bark in order to achieve some goal such as freedom, attention, food, etc. Therefore, the objective of the responsible dog owner is to control the barking, not to suppress it."

Here is a list of the solutions Maple Ridge offers for those with a barking dog. Notice that it says nothing about bringing a dog into the house, doggie daycare, or using a dog walker part way through the day.

"Move the run or pen to an enclosed area (eg:basement) where the dog can't see or hear whatever stimulates the barking."

"Use a dog kennel and crate train while you are away. Dogs are den animals and are content to be in a confined space with enough room to stand or lay down comfortably."

"Turn on a radio which covers up noises that induce barking and keeps the dog company."

"Place hand firmly around muzzle and shout "Quiet" or "No". Be consistent."

"Boredom barkers: distract with bones, chew toys, another dog or cat."

"The use of an ultrasonic "beeping" collar or citronella collar should only be used with proper knowledge and restraint."

"An electric shock collar should be avoided or only considered upon the recommendation of your vet or a qualified dog trainer."

In summary, I feel strongly that the District of Maple Ridge has dropped the ball completely, as they don't address the link between keeping a dog chained or in the yard and the problems this creates for the dog and for the humans around it.
Keeping a dog in the manner that Maple Ridge seems to be promoting, is no different than keeping a prisoner and punishing them for acting out against their conditions. For goodness sakes, Maple Ridge, this is not the 1970's!!!