Leash Free - Pet exercise areas in Bronte Creek Provincial Park

We invite you and encourage you to use the leash free areas in the park. Many days you will find groups of proud pet owners, happily watching their dogs enjoy some playtime with their own kind. These "Off-leash" areas, however, are a fragile thing: visitor and neighbour complaints about dogs running wild or owners who don't pick up after their pets can lead to these valuable areas being shut down. Good "dog park etiquette" can help to save this leash free zone! Map of Leash Free Areas (.pdf) Here are a few etiquette tips: Keep your pet on leash if there isn't a sign stating that dogs may run off-leash. Always carry a leash. You never know when you may need it. Don't let your dog harass other pets, people, or wildlife. Keep in mind that some dogs like rough play while others don't. Likewise, there are some people (yes, even "dog people") who are intimidated by big dogs or dogs they don't know. Make sure your dog has reliable recall. Coming back when called is for your dog's own safety as well. Always keep your dog in sight and within voice range. Don't assume someone else will keep an eye on your pet. Make sure your dog is up-to-date on his vaccinations. Don't bring female dogs in heat to the dog park. Don't bring young puppies. Their immune systems are not yet fully developed. Never bring more dogs than you can handle if a situation were to arise. Use common sense when bringing intact male dogs. If you know your intact dog has a tendency to engage in fights, then the leash-free park isn't an appropriate place to bring your dog. If your dog starts behaving aggressively, leash him immediately and leave. Leash-free areas are not suitable for aggressive dogs. No digging! Holes are a hazard and can cause another dog or a person to trip and injure themselves. If you catch your dog digging a hole, stop him and then fill in the hole. Respect the rules of the dog park. Clean up after your dog... every time! And now the legal stuff: PROVINCIAL PARKS AND CONSERVATION RESERVES ACT, 2006 PROVINCIAL PARKS: GENERAL PROVISIONS "domestic animal" means a horse, a dog or any other animal that is kept under human control either by habit or training and lives in association with human beings; Domestic and other animals 6. (1) No person in control of a domestic animal shall permit the animal to be, (a) in a provincial park unless the animal is secured on a leash that does not exceed two metres in length; (b) in any waters in a provincial park designated as a swimming area or upon any part of the beach adjacent to it; (c) in any waters adjacent to interior camp-sites where interior campers would obtain water for cooking or consumption; or (d) in any area posted to prohibit domestic animals or designated as an area in which domestic animals are prohibited. (2) Clause (1) (a) does not apply to an animal in a vehicle or a cage, to a dog accompanying a person who is lawfully hunting or within an area in which dogs are allowed to be off leash. (3) Clauses (1) (b), (c) and (d) do not apply to a person who is a holder of a National Identity Card issued by the Canadian Institute for the Blind or equivalent proof of legal blindness. (4) No person shall permit a domestic animal, while in a provincial park, to, (a) make excessive noise; (b) disturb other persons; (c) damage Crown property or vegetation; (d) chase or molest wild animals or birds; (e) injure, or attempt to injure, a person or other domestic animal. (5) The person in control of a domestic animal shall immediately dispose of excrement from the animal in such manner and at such location that it will not cause a health hazard or public inconvenience. (6) Subsection (5) does not apply to a person who is unable to immediately dispose of excrement because of a disability. (7) The person in charge of a domestic animal that is not secured shall capture and secure the animal at the request of an officer. (8) An officer may seize or cause to be seized a domestic animal if the person in control of the animal is in contravention of subsection (1), (4) or (5). (9) An officer who seizes a domestic animal shall take reasonable care of the animal or deliver it to a pound as soon as reasonably possible. (10) No person shall drive, walk or ride a horse, pony or similar animal in a provincial park except in an area operated for that purpose.

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