Some West Shore residents have developed a bad habit. ItB次元官网网址檚 one the Sooke School District and City of Langford would like them to break, as too many people are stepping in it.
Some West Shore schools have noticed a number of dog owners using school fields despite posted signage prohibiting pets. Dogs have even been spotted on the rubberized track at Royal Bay secondary school in Col-wood.
B次元官网网址淚t is the policy that animals arenB次元官网网址檛 on the property, no matter the convenience to the other person,B次元官网网址� said School District 62 spokes- person Lindsay Vogan.
Exceptions include service animals, approved pets for show and tell and class- room pets that live in the school.
It especially becomes a problem for the District when dog owners donB次元官网网址檛 clean up after their pets. Vogan said itB次元官网网址檚 creating a health concern, especially around elementary schools where children are most active on the fields, getting their hands dirty and sometimes tracking it through the school, which creates more problems.
Animals are prohibited at all times, she said, not just when school is in session (which is the case for some school districts) and that may be causing some of the confusion for pet owners.
Some alternative locations to exercise your furry friends include Danbrook Park, Glen Lake Beach Park, Kettle Creek and the Langford Lake boat launch, which were all developed with a dog-friendly approach in mind.
Where possible, the City of Langford has also provided dog bag dispensers and nearby waste bins for the convenience of park users who are there to walk their dogs.
However, City staff have noticed lately that some residents are diligent in picking up their dogB次元官网网址檚 waste, but then dispose of it by tossing the bags into the bushes.
While most of the bags are biodegradable, they do not start to decompose for roughly six months.
As more and more bags accumulate trailside, the natural scenery quickly becomes unsightly.
While the City is looking at expanding the number of dog- friendly areas around Langford, Coun. Lanny Seaton, chair of the parks, recreation, culture and beautification committee, said if the problems continue they may have to stop putting out bag dispensers.
B次元官网网址淲e canB次元官网网址檛 have them hanging in the trees,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e just asking everyone to be responsible.B次元官网网址�
He encouraged residents to offer a friendly reminder to others if they see someone drop- ping bags in bushes and to maybe suggest a nearby receptacle.
The battle against dog waste bags littering parks and trails isnB次元官网网址檛 just isolated to Langford, he said, as the Capital Regional DistrictB次元官网网址檚 park department is facing similar problems.
katie@goldstreamgazette.com
