Banning all dogs

There has been a lot of debate recently about allowing dogs to run free on Toronto's beaches. The plan presented to city council yesterday stated that dogs should be banned from all beaches, even if they are on a leash! The argument is that removing the dogs will improve the water quality for swimming.

Another suggestion was to only allow dogs on the beach from November-April since no one would be swimming then anyway.

Of course the hundreds of dog owners who live and play in these areas are outraged, and rightly protesting this plan.

I don't understand how this could possibly pass. The Beache is a community that loves their dogs. I remember going there even before I had Elli, and it would seem like every person owned a dog there. I love bringing Elli there since it is so dog friendly. Plus they have a section fenced off for the off-leash area.

As for making the water cleaner, what are they proposing to do with all the wild animals that use the beaches? I really don't think people should be blaming the dogs for pollution when people are the worst contributers.

I do agree that dogs should be on their leashes, with the exception of the designated off-leash areas. And, people need to be responsible for picking up after their dogs.

But, a beach without dogs just isn't the same. I'm trying to picture it and I see sad people and crickets in the background.

On a side note: Elli finally made it to the off-leash park in our neighbourhood. She had a great time! I'm so proud of her and a bit surprised. She only got a little scared once when a big lab ran at her, but quickly made friends. She even played with golden retrievers, a dog she is normally terrified of for some unknown reason. Her freshly clean feet became caked with mud. But, she stayed relatively close and used her selective listening skills well.  I'm looking forward to taking her again.