WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 29 2023
$1.25
NEWSSTAND PRICE
SPECIAL FEATURE B1
Holiday Cheer
A collection of festive content to help jumpstart your holiday spirit
LIFESTYLE13
Concussion crusader Former hockey player puts his focus on treating head injuries
Need Dental Treatment? Call Today!
SPORTS19
Soccer champs NEW
Mulgrave tops Windsor in all-North Shore provincial final Weekend Forecast Inside
local matters . since 1969
NORTHSHORENEWS
1892 Marine Drive West Vancouver 604.926.7621 belcantodental.com INTERACT WITH THE NEWS AT
nsnews.com
PET PROJECT
West Van’s Centennial Seawalk goes to the dogs JANE SEYD
jseyd@nsnews.com
West Vancouver council has officially let the dogs out.
A majority of council has voted to loosen the leash on longstanding restrictions that have kept canine companions from walking with their owners near many local parks and on the West Vancouver Seawalk. Council formally adopted changes to the animal control bylaws Nov. 27, which up to now have banned pooches from many public walking areas, including the Seawalk. Owners are now allowed to walk leashed and licensed dogs along pedestrian areas of the Seawalk, along paved footpaths in Horseshoe Bay, Ambleside and Dundarave parks and around the perimeter of sports fields, playgrounds and recreational beaches – although not actually on them. John Lawson Park and Millennium Park will remain off limits to pooches. Couns. Linda Watt and Christine Cassidy shepherded the effort to change the rules, arguing during council discussion Nov. 20 it’s past time that West Vancouver took the paws-itive step to become more Fido friendly. Cassidy and Watt said restrictions on where pooches can promenade in West Vancouver are outdated and out of
line with what’s allowed in most other communities. Predictably, however, the debate has raised hackles among both dog owners and those who’d prefer other people’s pets kept their distance. A number of dog owners showed up to council previously to support the move to a more Fido-friendly Seawalk. Last week, however, a similar number showed up to oppose the change. Most said they were concerned that dogs would crowd vulnerable seniors off the Seawalk and potentially create tripping hazards with extendable leashes. “Allowing dogs on leashes on any segment of the Seawalk will impact the entire foreshore experience for walkers without dogs.… Even the nicest dogs react unpredictably at times. Dogs like to meet and greet other dogs and people, and as friendly and lovable as dogs can be, not everyone wants to be around them,” said Anne Macdonald. Others spoke of having to potentially dodge dog poop and listen to barking dogs. Both Jennifer Azizi and dog walker Lisa Brasso spoke in favour of the change. “Concerns over mayhem and poop Continued on A36
Sandra McLean and her dog Weston take in the view on the Centennial Seawalk. West Vancouver will soon be loosening restrictions to allow dogs on the popular path. PAUL MCGRATH / NSN