A pair of young Oak Bay brothers hope a poop patrol will inspire others to clean up after their pups.
Henry Mepham, 9 and George Mepham, 7, joined their mom Tracey Voll in a stroll through Uplands Park with shovels and buckets after noticing a disturbing amount of droppings left behind.
B次元官网网址淵ou go to Uplands itB次元官网网址檚 kind of a refuge,B次元官网网址� Voll says. B次元官网网址淲e might lose that because of this dog health issue and itB次元官网网址檚 the only place we can go other than the UVic dog park.B次元官网网址�
The family takes their own dog to Uplands once Willows Park Beach is closed for the summer to the four-legged family member. ThatB次元官网网址檚 a closure they understand.
B次元官网网址淚f you go down to Willows when there are dogs thereB次元官网网址檚 poo everywhere,B次元官网网址� Voll says.
While accidents happen, and she believes in B次元官网网址渄og kharmaB次元官网网址� where you pick up an extra now and again in case thereB次元官网网址檚 one you miss, the Uplands deposits are simply too much, Voll says.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just an B次元官网网址榦ops.B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 people letting their dogs poo and then leaving and itB次元官网网址檚 buckets full of poo, itB次元官网网址檚 disgusting,B次元官网网址� says Voll. She, Henry and George scooped up 10 kg in a 30 minute walk last week. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 disgusting, but if you frame it to kids that B次元官网网址榳eB次元官网网址檙e going to explore and weB次元官网网址檙e doing something good for the community, they embrace it.B次元官网网址�
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Despite the patrol two days earlier, they had no problem finding more piles for a photo op Friday morning at another entrance to the park.
B次元官网网址淧et waste is the responsibility of the pet owner,B次元官网网址� said Chris Hyde-Lay, manager, Parks Services for Oak Bay. B次元官网网址淚t is an issue. People should clean up after their pets, itB次元官网网址檚 the ownerB次元官网网址檚 responsibility.B次元官网网址�
Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 animal bylaws prescribe a $50 fine B次元官网网址� and signs remind dog walkers outside Uplands entrances B次元官网网址� but realistically, animal control would need to see the infraction to fine.
B次元官网网址淢ost people get it but thereB次元官网网址檚 some that just donB次元官网网址檛,B次元官网网址� Hyde-Lay says, noting that Uplands is off leash this time of year, so some pups rush off and do their business. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just your responsibility.B次元官网网址�
Oak Bay does not provide poop bags at any of its parks, but expects owners to bring their own.
B次元官网网址淪ome municipalities are moving away from [providing bags] and once again putting the onus on the dog owner. Having dog bags are inexpensive and itB次元官网网址檚 part of being a good owner having those bags with you at all times,B次元官网网址� Hyde-Lay says. B次元官网网址淚f you own a dog, there are responsibilities that go along with it.B次元官网网址�
The Oak Bay Dog Control Bylaw requires all dog owners to obtain a license for pets and a B次元官网网址減oop and scoopB次元官网网址� law is in effect throughout the municipality.
B次元官网网址淚 would encourage people to familiarize themselves with the ,B次元官网网址� Hyde-Lay says.
Voll is happy to teach her kids a little more responsibility, and their building on their respect for the park started with hands-on school programming at Willows elementary. She hopes others will take up the cause, or claim responsibility before dogs get the blame.
B次元官网网址淗aving dogs in the neighbourhood is awesome,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a really vibrant community once you get into it.B次元官网网址�
