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Redcliff council hears concerns about off-leash area

Jan 4, 2017 | 8:12 AM

REDCLIFF, AB — The town of Redcliff has been hearing concerns from dog owners about the off-leash area set aside at River Valley Park in the town.

At the last town council meeting in December, concerns were brought forward about the trail being off-leash. Mayor Ernie Reimer says there was one complaint in particular.

“This individual used to walk his dog down there and it’s a smaller dog and he had some altercations with some large dogs from time to time,” he said.

But Reimer says it hasn’t been the only complaint. The area has only been a designated off-leash area for about a year-and-a-half and Reimer says some people feel threatened by large dogs when they’re off-leash.

“There are some folks that used to walk down there without dogs, or small dogs, and they’re not interested in doing that anymore,” he said.

Town Councillor Larry Leipert says he’d like to leave the trail the way it is but says dog owners should be mindful of others.

“I would certainly remind everybody that uses them to be responsible pet owners and to pick up after their dog, and make sure their dog doesn’t intimidate anybody on those areas,” he said.

At the meeting, council voted to send the matter back to the Recreation Services Board to come up with recommendations. Possible options are changing the designated off-leash area, or even getting rid of it all together.

Jane Finnimore-Dyck tries to bring her dog Monty to the off leash area of the Redcliff River Valley trail everyday.

“These dogs have to have an opportunity to get out and do their doggy thing, you know, meet other dogs and play,” she said.

Finnemore-Dyck say it would be disappointing for the community to lose the off-leash trail.

“They’ve got the mountain biking, and they’ve got kids going on skate boards, it’s just a really family recreational area,” she said. “It’s just a really family recreational are, and for most people their dog too is part of the family.”

There is no set time frame for when a decision might be made, but recommendations from the board will be brought back to a future town council meeting.