Good news are coming out of Ste. Anne de Bellevue for dog owners as council announced it will open the city’s boardwalk to dogs in the near future at the council meeting last Monday.
The city bylaw which prevents dog owners from taking their pups for a stroll along Lake St. Louis will be changed as the city passed a notice of motion to amend it. As with all notices of motion, a bylaw change proposal will be submitted for approval at an upcoming council meeting.
The question of how much things will change is yet to be known for sure however. When questioned by The Chronicle, Mayor Francis Deroo remained prudent as he explained the city’s intentions.
“Requests were made by citizens and recommendations were made by the public security and circulation committee. We will maybe change the bylaw to allow dogs at certain times such as in the morning notably,” he said.
Helen Lacroix, founder of Animatch, a grassroots dog adoption service that operates all over the metropolitan area, was glad to hear the news last week.
“If they’re opening the boardwalk to dogs, it’s amazing. The more places we have for people and their dogs, the better it is. We do dog adoptions and there are not enough places for people to walk with their dogs,” she said.
Shirley Smith of Greyhound Rescue Quebec, an organization based in Dollard des Ormeaux that finds homes for greyhounds after their racing career is over, was also pleased by the city’s plan.
“I think dog owners will be pleased to walk the boardwalk with their dogs on leash and enjoy seeing the boats and take pleasure in the ambiance of such a nice area. Of course I also think it is up to dog owners to abide by the rules and be in complete control of their dogs as there are also non-dog owners and people that have a fear of dogs walking on the boardwalk as well,” she said.
