SADB boardwalk dog walkers get reprieve

Although the city of Sainte Anne de Bellevue had plans to revoke the bylaw allowing dogs and their owners access to the boardwalk, a new bylaw that was instituted last summer, dogs and their owners will still be allowed use of the boardwalk for now. 

This is a change from the notice of motion passed at the city’s May council meeting revoking dogs and their owners from walking on the city’s renowned boardwalk. 

“Last summer, we allowed dogs but we never posted the signage along the boardwalk,” Mayor Paola Hawa told The Suburban. “We’re going to try again this summer and see if we get a better outcome.”

The outcome the mayor is referring to is that, for many of the restaurant owners along the picturesque boardwalk, having dogs take care of their washroom needs in plain view of diners was not appealing for their customers.

“Last year, we changed the bylaw prohibiting dogs on the boardwalk as a test,” said Hawa. “But having dogs on the boardwalk was not appreciated by terrace restaurant owners and customers eating their dinner while seeing dogs do their business nearby.” 

The mayor also noted that citizens are split 50:50 when it comes to allowing dogs on the boardwalk except from noon-9 p.m. from May 1-Oct. 1. Perhaps one of the reasons for extending the bylaw is that “dog owners are more vocal about the issue than non-dog owners.”

Dog walkers could alleviate the situation by making sure their dogs have adhered to their washroom concerns before hitting the boardwalk. If that is not possible, the city has provided two stations complete with hygienic bags and many garbage cans along the wooden boardwalk.
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