Parks Canada calls seasonal dog ban near Tofino a success
A new seasonal dog ban designed to protect migrating shorebirds on a popular beach near Tofino, B.C., is being heralded a success by the federal government.
Parks Canada introduced the new, five-month dog ban on Combers Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in April, saying that migratory birds needed a place to rest in between trips from the Arctic to as far as South America.
The ban is in effect from April 14 to Oct. 1, and so far the federal government says it has seen a 32 per cent increase in birds at the beach compared to the same period in 2021.
Parks Canada adds that an outright ban on dogs at the beach was an important step, since fewer pet owners are keeping their dogs on leash this year compared to 2021.
The federal government says leash compliance was about 61 per cent in the national park reserve in spring 2021. Now, however, compliance has dipped to just 48 per cent, according to Parks Canada.
"Off-leash dogs negatively impact wildlife," said Parks Canada spokesperson Nancy Hildebrand in a statement Wednesday.
"The pilot ban at Combers clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the dog restriction as [a] management tool," she said.
According to Parks Canada, fines for having an off-leash dog in a leash area start at $58 for a first offence, while repeated offences can lead to fines of up to $25,000 and mandatory court appearances.
The organization adds that Parks Canada staff and local police are patrolling the area to enforce the seasonal dog ban at Combers Beach.
"Compliance with the law is the best way for dog owners to continue to be able to enjoy the privilege of bringing dogs into the national park reserve," said Hildebrand.
The seasonal dog ban applies to the Combers Beach area between Sandhill Creek and Green Point Rocks. The ban also includes the Combers Beach Trail, and the boardwalks leading to Combers Beach from Green Point Campground.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.