Keep Your Dog Leashed - It's The Law

WILDLIFE AND YOUR DOG

Nanaimo’s natural areas are wonderful places for you and your dog to exercise and enjoy some solitude in the city.  However, some of these park systems are important habitats for wildlife, fish and the foreshore.  These parks require dogs to be on a leash.  While your dogs’ activities may seem harmless and fun, wildlife and their habitats are significantly impacted in ways that you may not be able to see.

Over 60% of Nanaimo’s Parks are natural areas with diverse ecosystems.  Even if your dog doesn’t chase wildlife in the natural parks, dogs that are off trails can disturb wild animals enough to deplete their precious energy preserves, which can cause malnutrition or death. Birds that nest on or near the ground are particularly susceptible to harm by off-leash dogs. Nests on the ground or in low shrubs are very difficult to see and your off-leash dog can easily destroy or dislodge them. Fragile amphibians and reptiles rely on clean, quiet water bodies for feeding and reproduction. While dogs may have fun splashing in the water, this activity can be detrimental to frogs and turtles. Also, remember that each dog is only one of hundreds that recreate in Nanaimo’s parks. While your pet may appear to have little impact on the landscape, the cumulative effects of all the dogs that visit the same area can be very significant.

Sensitive Natural Park Eco-Systems in Nanaimo include:

Richard’s Marsh Park

Piper’s Lagoon Park

Neck Point Park

Lost Lake Park

Linley Valley Park

Bowen Park

Third St. Park

Westwood Lake (except for designated off-leash area)

Walley Creek Park

Planta Park

Keeping your dog on leash in natural park areas is not only a responsible decision that protects wildlife and urban environment, it’s also the law.  City of Nanaimo ByLaws requires that dogs be leashed outside designated off-leash areas.  Violators can be fined $150 per dog.

For more information about dogs in Nanaimo parks and trails please visit www.nanaimo.ca.  Please contact Coastal Animal Services for questions or concerns about dogs 250-754-1397.