A Qualicum Beach dog groomer has found herself caught between a rock and a hard place after she was fined $300 for painting ads on stones placed throughout the community.

Colleen Christensen, owner of Ruff N’ Stuff Dog Groomers, has slowly been building her four-legged clientele after putting down roots in the idyllic coastal town just months ago.

Working on a tight budget, Christensen decided to get creative and use rocks collected by her dog Copper for advertising.

“I remember watching TV one day thinking, why don’t I paint them, throw Ruff N’ Stuff Dog Grooming on them with my phone number, and we’ll hide them around town,” she said. “That was really just the intention, just to have some fun.”

But that fun is going to end up costing her.

After she put the bright softball-sized rocks in local dog parks and walking trails, Christensen received three tickets from bylaw officers – $100 for every offending rock.

“He started off saying the rocks were a hazard, that he had found one of the rocks on a sidewalk and that they were a tripping hazard,” she said.

The bylaw department said it ticketed her after receiving complaints and warning Christensen that the rocks don’t meet the town’s policies.

“First of all, you need a permit for signs…and second of all if you put up a sign, it has to be on your own property,” said Luke Sales, Qualicum Beach Director of Planning.

The town is also concerned that other businesses might see what Christensen is doing and try to copy it.

“Little signs placed everywhere, suddenly you’re blind to signs,” said Sales. “On balance, it’s designed to create the kind of community that people in Qualicum Beach want.”

Locals and business owners who spoke with CTV News about the rock advertisements said it was a solid idea, as long as it’s in moderation.

“I thought it was a really nice way to advertise,” said Rena Weme of Belle Femme Boutique. “It wasn’t invasive.”

As for Christensen, she said the fines have made her feel defeated.

“I feel like I’m being picked on,” she said.

While the town says it’s willing to work with her to come to an agreement, she says in defiance, she won’t stop painting her rocks – but she’d rather do it with the town’s blessing. 

With a report from CTV Vancouver Island's Jessica Lepp