Police join blitz on dog owners

Adrienne Tanner
The Province

May 27, 2004

Police are joining the city's animal-control officers in a citywide crackdown on dog owners who let their dogs roam unleashed, refuse to buy licences and don't clean up after their pets.

Two Vancouver Police officers will be dedicated to the program, which the city hopes will raise public awareness of doggie do's and don'ts, police spokeswoman Const. Sarah Bloor said yesterday. She said police are needed to diffuse confrontational situations which animal control officers face daily.

"We want to be there to support . . . the animal control officers and . . . ensure the community is safe for, not only the residents who own the dogs, but for those who are out there in the park trying to enjoy that space."

Bylaw officers do not have the same powers as police, said city bylaw manager Paul Teichroeb, adding the city responds to about 200 serious biting incidents a year.

"If I'm an animal-control officer and I ask for your name, you could say you're Mickey Mouse and walk away. They have no powers to stop someone."

Most dog owners are co-operative, Teichroeb said. Fines for dog-related offences vary from $75 for failing to licence your dog and allowing your pet to run off-leash in an on-leash area to $50 for failing to clean up.