Unleashed dogs on frozen waterways leave some Winnipeggers cold Owners who ignore bylaw accused of putting compliant owners’ pets, others enjoying fresh air at risk By: Chris Kitching Posted: 7:00 PM CST Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023

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Some Winnipeggers are raising safety concerns about dogs roaming off leash on winter river trails, with at least one biting incident reported to the city this season.

Dogs are required to be on a leash when they’re taken onto frozen waterways, including the Nestaweya River Trail, according to a City of Winnipeg bylaw.

Jessica Antony noticed some owners were treating the Assiniboine River like an off-leash park when she took one of her two dogs for a walk on a leash Sunday.

“It’s sort of frustrating because when dogs are let off leash in undesignated areas it puts them and other dogs at risk needlessly,” she said. “I see it as an accident waiting to happen.”

While she believes most owners are responsible and respectful, Antony tried to avoid off-leash dogs while walking her Bernese mountain dog on the Assiniboine in the Wolseley area.

“It’s sort of frustrating because when dogs are let off leash in undesignated areas it puts them and other dogs at risk needlessly. I see it as an accident waiting to happen.”– Dog owner Jessica Antony

“To not feel comfortable taking your dog on a walk (on a river trail) is a shame,” she said. “At the very least, leash your dog as soon you see someone else on the trail.”

She said she suspects most owners who let their dogs loose do so believing their pet is well-behaved and not a threat.

“No matter how friendly your dog is, it’s still not worth the risk,” said Antony.

Coun. Matt Allard said his office was contacted in January by someone who was bitten by a dog on a river trail. They also reported the incident to 311.

“It’s very unfortunate and we don’t want to see that happening,” said Allard (St. Boniface).

The solution, he believes, is more off-leash dog parks. Antony and others who spoke to the Free Press agree.

Pat McPhillips said her concerns about off-leash dogs on frozen waterways are based on past encounters on the Seine River in St. Boniface.

Once, she said, a large dog that wasn’t on a leash repeatedly jumped at her and put its paws on her chest.

“My concern is unexpected or unpredictable behaviours,” she said. “I know everyone thinks they know their own dog, but you never know.”

McPhillips has complained to the city about off-leash dogs in the past. She said she once saw city staff enforcing the bylaw on the Seine many years ago.

Still, she believes it is difficult to enforce the bylaw. Having officers “wander around” a river looking for people whose dogs aren’t on a leash isn’t a good use of resources, she said.

“People should just be responsible,” she said, adding some people are afraid of dogs or may be uncomfortable with them being loose in public places where there are children.

City of Winnipeg spokesman Adam Campbell said the responsible pet ownership bylaw applies to all areas of Winnipeg, including frozen waterways.

The city’s animal services agency doesn’t track the number of tickets issued on river trails.

“My concern is unexpected or unpredictable behaviours. I know everyone thinks they know their own dog, but you never know.”–Pat McPhillips

Campbell said staff do not monitor frozen waterways, but will go to the scene if and when there are complaints.

“Animal services receives only a few complaints a year regarding dogs off leash on frozen waterways,” he wrote in an email. “The agency reminds residents to not allow their dogs off leash on frozen waterways, as this can lead to conflicts with other dogs, residents, and wildlife.”

People walking their dogs on or near the Nestaweya trail said fellow owners often put their loose pet on a leash or pick up the animal, if it is small enough, when they approach each other.

The scenario happened when Erin Waterman and her Jack Russell terrier encountered an off-leash dog near The Forks Tuesday.

“When they saw us coming they put the dog on the leash. I feel that’s OK if there’s not many people around,” she said. “Most people are respectful, I find.”

Waterman’s dog, attached to a skijoring rope, ran alongside her while she cycled.

Silvija Boshkovska, who took her Labrador-German shepherd mix to a designated off-leash area at the downtown Bonnycastle Park next to the Assiniboine, said she is OK with dogs being loose on river trails.

She said she sometimes allows her pet to be off leash because she doesn’t believe it would be aggressive or bite.

Boshkovska said she puts her dog on a leash if someone appears uncomfortable.

“You just have to know your dog. You want to be respectful to other people,” she said.

James Johnston said he doesn’t see many dogs off leash during his walks on the Nestaweya trail.

“I’m sensitive that some people can be afraid of dogs. Some people may be nervous about them, but I wouldn’t be one of them,” said Johnston, who isn’t a dog owner.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching