An open house will be held tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Southridge YMCA on the proposed off-leash dog policy (Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNEWSToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

tonight at the Southridge YMCA

Residents encouraged to weigh in on proposed off-leash dog policy

Jun 2, 2022 | 5:11 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- The city’s trail system is a popular spot come spring and summer. From cyclists, to hikers to people getting their dogs some exercise.

With so many people on the trails, the city says that can cause conflicts, and that is something they are hoping to address.

“I think the concern that we are hearing is that people are being attacked by dogs, and chased by dogs and feeling that discomfort. Some people are just not dog people and we are trying to find that cohabitation, as you would say,” said Dave Young, special projects manager with the City of Medicine Hat.

Right now there are 24 off leash dog areas in Medicine Hat, and that includes most of the city’s trail system . Many of the off-leash areas are also on environmental reserve lands, something the city says may pose a risk to the land’s ecological integrity.

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To address some of these concerns, the city is in the process of drafting a new off leash dog policy. Nothing has been finalized yet, but that draft looks at making areas with high cyclist and pedestrian traffic, on leash, as well as significant environmental areas like The South Saskatchewan River.

The original off-leash policy was put in place in 1987 and has not been updated since 1999, according to the city.

Trail users CHAT News spoke to Thursday afternoon said most people, including dog owners are respectful on the trails as the policy stands now.

“Mostly positive I haven’t had any run-ins with people or anything like that, it’s been great. I’ve enjoyed every time I have been out,” said one man.

“I know most people are pretty friendly, and if their dogs are iffy they will leash them up,” another man said.

” Well you just got to be respectful and understand that it is off leash and they could step out. So just slow down and be aware that’s all,” another man said.

The city is looking to gather as much feedback as they can through an open house. The event will be held tonight June 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Southridge YMCA.

Residents unable to attend the open house can also submit their feedback through Shape Your City.