The Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake held a town hall meeting on November 6 to address the ongoing problem of dogs running at large in the community.
The issue, which was first reported in April by students and staff at William Konkin Elementary School, was raised after it posed safety risks to children on the playground.
Since then, the school reported several incidents, including dog fights, that forced children indoors for safety.
Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake had said back then that the local bylaw officer, who handles these situations, works part-time and is not specifically trained in animal control, limiting the effectiveness of enforcement. They also said that many dogs in the area are unlicensed, making it difficult to identify owners.
The municipality said it would work to address the issue through increased enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and plans to improve control measures. Wednesday's town hall was a step in that direction.
After the town hall, Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake Chief Administrative Officer Sheryl Worthing reported that the most common complaints received involve loose dogs 鈥� in people's yards, on streets causing traffic disruptions, and in public spaces like schools, the mall, and the hospital.
The village also receives complaints about unattended dogs barking excessively, disturbing the peace, and about aggressive or dangerous dogs, which can pose a threat to people, other animals, and sometimes wildlife. "Sometimes we get calls about dogs' safety, health and welfare or treatment by people," Worthing added. "The problem of unlicensed dogs is one which the Village is also concerned about."
During the meeting, residents suggested several potential solutions, including stricter regulations on dog sales, an anonymous tip line, pet education programs, free dog licenses, and a dog license booth at public events. Other suggestions included offering incentives for spaying and neutering, as well as the creation of a second dog park.
While no decisions were made at the town hall, Worthing stated that staff would compile the suggestions and present a report to the Council for further discussion.
