To the Editor,
There is a very serious problem with dogs off-leash in Nanaimo that is not being addressed at the moment.
Animal control has only four officers and simply cannot be where they need to be on a consistent daily basis in Nanaimo parks and beaches to be able to enforce compliance of off-leash laws.
The shift to zero-tolerance and giving tickets and no warnings is a start, but if they are not there, then they can’t enforce this policy and make it a success.
The only way people will be brought into compliance will be from the realistic expectation that they could be ticketed at $150 a pop.
This can only be so if the officers are there to issue them. This can only be so if their numbers are dramatically increased up to four times the present number so they can consistently on a daily basis have the resources to patrol all the parks in Nanaimo.
This will bring about a reaction of compliance from the public and stop what has become an unacceptable situation.
Examples are DUI, driving while using a cellphone, excessive speeding. Once the fines were increased and stiffened and the police made them a priority and heavily enforced them, the instances of these crimes were cut in half or more.
The same can be done regarding the problem with dogs off-leash if we give animal control the needed resources to bring about similar results.
I ask the mayor and city council to please consider the matter and provide the needed resources to animal control to enable them to do their job.
All concerned citizens should contact the mayor and all council members by e-mail or phone to let them know of the seriousness of the situation, their contact information is available from the city website.
Tom McCartney
Nanaimo