Dogs

Dog owners in Victoria will have to wait before they get more off-leash options. Pictured is Sienna the dog enjoying an afternoon at the off-leash area along Dallas Road. (Black Press Media file photo)

2022 off-leash dog park investigations on hold as Victoria reverses course

Potential pilots now included in original strategy to study leash-optional spots in 2023

Dog owners in Victoria will have to wait before they get more off-leash options. Pictured is Sienna the dog enjoying an afternoon at the off-leash area along Dallas Road. (Black Press Media file photo)
Dr. Bonnie Henry visits with Bonnie and Henry, BC and Alberta Guide Dogs in training, at the Ministry of Health offices in Victoria. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

VIDEO: Future working dogs check in with namesake Dr. Bonnie Henry in Victoria

Labradors Bonnie and Henry about to embark on advanced training period

Dr. Bonnie Henry visits with Bonnie and Henry, BC and Alberta Guide Dogs in training, at the Ministry of Health offices in Victoria. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
Shorebirds rest and replenish at the estuary on Combers Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Parks Canada imposes seasonal dog ban at Combers Beach near Tofino

To protect migratory shorebirds, dogs are banned on Combers Beach from April 14 to October 1, 2022

Shorebirds rest and replenish at the estuary on Combers Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. (Nora O’Malley photo)
Tofino is looking into strategies to deter dog owners from letting their pets run free in public spaces around town. (Westerly News file photo)

Tofino council vows to tackle off-leash dog concerns

District council working on strategies to mitigate longstanding issue

Tofino is looking into strategies to deter dog owners from letting their pets run free in public spaces around town. (Westerly News file photo)
Owner Kathy Banks (front) with her dog Abby, along with employees Kaylyn Paterson (left) and Sherry Bell (right), and husband James Anson stand outside Pooch Parlour. The municipality closed the business earlier this month for operating without the proper business license. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Dog grooming business in Sidney gets a life leash, but reopening months away

Councillor argued council going through ‘contortions’ to accommodate one business

Owner Kathy Banks (front) with her dog Abby, along with employees Kaylyn Paterson (left) and Sherry Bell (right), and husband James Anson stand outside Pooch Parlour. The municipality closed the business earlier this month for operating without the proper business license. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Oakey’s health continues to improve daily after being attacked by a cougar on a remote North Island trail. (Jessica Shaw photo)

Go Fund Me raises nearly $7,000 for puppy attacked by cougar on remote North Island trail

Oakey’s health has continued to improve daily since the Feb. 24 attack.

Oakey’s health continues to improve daily after being attacked by a cougar on a remote North Island trail. (Jessica Shaw photo)
Mackenzie Bailey and Luna are gearing up to head to the Netherlands in May for the World Agility Open Championships. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo teen dog handler headed to world championships in Europe

Mackenzie Bailey and Luna bound for World Agility Open Championships in the Netherlands this spring

Mackenzie Bailey and Luna are gearing up to head to the Netherlands in May for the World Agility Open Championships. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
More off-leash spots could be on their way to Victoria. (Photo courtesy of walkfordogguides.com)

Victoria chases potential off-leash dog spots in Fairfield, Fernwood

Staff will look into pilot at Brooke Street Park, city asking SD61 about temporary spot at Vic High

More off-leash spots could be on their way to Victoria. (Photo courtesy of walkfordogguides.com)
Pop-up dog parks are likely coming back to Saanich this summer 2022 – but not before a few more decisions around which parks are best-suited for this purpose are considered. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

‘Pup-up’ parks set to return to Saanich, council still chewing on where and when

Proposed expansion of original rotation in the works; nine parks on initial list for 2022

Pop-up dog parks are likely coming back to Saanich this summer 2022 – but not before a few more decisions around which parks are best-suited for this purpose are considered. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Sylvia Miles, who lives in the area and walked through Resthaven Park Tuesday morning with Merv, the Brussels Griffon terrier, cheered council’s decision. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Plans buried for off-leash dog park in Sidney’s Resthaven Park

Plans won’t fly because of proximity to bird sanctuary, other concerns

Sylvia Miles, who lives in the area and walked through Resthaven Park Tuesday morning with Merv, the Brussels Griffon terrier, cheered council’s decision. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
FILE - Rumor, a German shepherd, poses for photos after winning Best in Show at the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, Feb. 15, 2017. The American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and German shepherds are in the top 10. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)

Poodles pop in popularity, but Labs still No. 1 US dog breed

American Kennel Club releases annual top five most popular dog breeds rankings

FILE - Rumor, a German shepherd, poses for photos after winning Best in Show at the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, Feb. 15, 2017. The American Kennel Club’s annual popularity rankings come out Tuesday, March 15, 2022, and German shepherds are in the top 10. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
Joanne Turner’s sign near St. David Street and Brighton Avenue after pulling more than 100 dog poop bags from the blackberry bushes. (Photos by Joanne Turner)

Neighbour steamed at dog excrement left to hang in Oak Bay

Bylaw prescribes $50 fine for leaving dog poop behind

Joanne Turner’s sign near St. David Street and Brighton Avenue after pulling more than 100 dog poop bags from the blackberry bushes. (Photos by Joanne Turner)
Vanessa Kursan, owner of Evolve Dog Training in Vancouver, with her dog Spencer. (BC SPCA photo)

Humane dog trainers at the core of BC SPCA’s special accreditation program

The AnimalKind program audits trainers to ensure they offer humane training techniques

Vanessa Kursan, owner of Evolve Dog Training in Vancouver, with her dog Spencer. (BC SPCA photo)
Sidney staff recommended the municipality approve the smaller version of plans for an off-leash dog park proposed for Resthaven Drive. (Black Press Media file photo)

Report recommends dogs run off-leash in Sidney’s Resthaven Park

Plans for off-leash dog park move forward in budget discussions

Sidney staff recommended the municipality approve the smaller version of plans for an off-leash dog park proposed for Resthaven Drive. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria council hopes improvements to the Dallas Road waterfront off-leash area will make the location useable for everyone. (Black Press Media file photo)

Changes to Victoria’s Dallas Road off-leash area aim to make bluff-side path safer

Councillors put $100,000 toward solutions following incidents involving free-roaming dogs

Victoria council hopes improvements to the Dallas Road waterfront off-leash area will make the location useable for everyone. (Black Press Media file photo)
Migrating brant geese stop and feed on the shores at Parksville Community Park Beach in 2020. (PQB News file photo)

Several Parksville-area beaches closed to dogs for annual Brant geese migration

Rathtrevor Beach will be closed to dogs from Feb. 15 until April 30

Migrating brant geese stop and feed on the shores at Parksville Community Park Beach in 2020. (PQB News file photo)
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is investigating the Victoria Police Department regarding a Jan. 29 arrest. (Black Press Media file photo)

Police watchdog investigating Victoria arrest that left suspect with serious dog bite

Dog used to help take down man VicPD suspected of Jan. 29 robbery

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is investigating the Victoria Police Department regarding a Jan. 29 arrest. (Black Press Media file photo)
Shrimpy, 4, has gone missing from his home in the Webster’s Corners area. (Special to The News)

Dog owner believes beloved pet stolen from Lower Mainland property

Melissa Hume begging for the safe return of her German shepherd Shrimpy

Shrimpy, 4, has gone missing from his home in the Webster’s Corners area. (Special to The News)
Jessica Tuomela, right with current guide dog Brandy, will be joined in a professional capacity next month by Lucy the golden retriever. The duo will assist in locating missing people from vulnerable populations. (Courtesy of Jessica Tuomela)

Victoria-based Paralympian follows instinct for K9 training

Jessica Tuomela, partnering with trained canine Lucy, aims to keep vulnerable Canadians safe

Jessica Tuomela, right with current guide dog Brandy, will be joined in a professional capacity next month by Lucy the golden retriever. The duo will assist in locating missing people from vulnerable populations. (Courtesy of Jessica Tuomela)
ElderDog Victoria volunteer Linda Harris takes Lilly for regular walks for her senior owner as part of the non-profit’s services in Greater Victoria. (Photo Courtesy of Linda Harris)

Seniors, do you need help caring for your four-legged friend?

ElderDog is now looking to expand its volunteer and client lists in the Sooke area

ElderDog Victoria volunteer Linda Harris takes Lilly for regular walks for her senior owner as part of the non-profit’s services in Greater Victoria. (Photo Courtesy of Linda Harris)