While Delta seeks further public feedback on proposed changes to its commercial dog walking policy in the North 40 Park Reserve, several dog owners and walkers are taking issue with the process.
Delta has designated a space in the North 40 in which up to four dogs can be off-leash and four dogs leashed by commercial dog walkers at a time. The current policy was drafted following a public survey last May.
The municipality is now proposing additional rules for commercial dog walkers, including an annual permit fee of $500 on top of $5 million in liability insurance and restricting the dog walking business to weekdays from 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Delta's director of parks, recreation and culture Ken Kuntz said commercial dog walkers asked Delta to consider areas where they are able to walk more than two dogs off-leash in 2015.
"There were many discussions at the parks, recreation and culture commission that resulted in a recommendation to council in 2016 that consideration be given to designate an area within the North 40 Park Reserve for commercial dog walkers to walk more than two dogs off-leash," he said. "The consultation in 2016 was focused on the community's acceptance of a commercial dog walking area at the North 40, but the terms and conditions were not set."
Delta is now seeking public feedback on the terms and conditions, including risk mitigation, insurance requirements, identification, and how many dogs would be acceptable by a single walker.
"The North 40 is used by a variety of patrons, not just those with dogs," said Kuntz. "It is important that the public have input how commercial dog walking occurs at this location."
Pathfinder Pet Care owner Chantale Fontaine said she and other commercial dog walkers are not happy with the proposed policy.
She has collected 33 letters from dog walkers who take issue with the high permit fees and the restricted hours they say will negatively impact their business.
Fontaine would like to see Delta's policy more in line with other municipalities. She said Richmond, for example, has a permit fee of $250 and there are no restrictions on hours.
"So here in Delta, you've got restricted access, a limited use and they're wanting more money," she said. "We just don't understand where all these numbers are coming from in regards to accessing more space." She would like to see Delta's policy eliminate the leashed rule and allow six dogs off-leash instead of four between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
She said she understands the rationale behind the policy, but just wants to see an even playing field.
"We want to have a certain standard in the industry, but the way it is right now, there's a lot of fear. I think people are worried about allowing commercial dog walking," she said. "It's been happening for years, it's just the difference is now we're legitimizing it."
Residents can email [email protected] with the subject line commercial dog walking and provide their feedback until April
