I operate a small commercial dog walking business in the District of North Vancouver, and I am raising urgent concerns about recent policy changes that directly threaten the safety of my employees, the dogs in our care, and the broader community.

The District has closed safe and practical trailheads such as Braemar/Dempsey without public consultation or proper safety upgrades. Instead, Commercial Dog Walkers (CDWs) are now being pressured to use Kilmer Creek as a primary access point.

Kilmer Creek is not a safe option. To unload dogs, vehicles must stop on a busy road where cars frequently speed. There is no safe pullout area, no off-street parking, and no crosswalk. Staff are expected to park across the street and cross Dempsey with groups of dogs, which is extremely unsafe and dangerous for everyone involved. Beyond this, the trail itself is steep, poorly maintained, and has a single narrow entry/exit that makes it hazardous for passing other trail users.

This is not just an inconvenience — it’s a serious safety issue. In my professional opinion, it’s not a matter of if an accident will happen, but when. Staff are being forced into conditions that put their safety, the dogs’ safety, and the safety of residents using these trails at risk.

The District has acknowledged that complaints from nearby residents about barking, waste, and parking congestion have influenced these decisions. While these concerns are understandable, no effort has been made to deal with them through proper enforcement or on-the-ground monitoring. Bylaw officers have not been present ticketing or addressing issues — instead, responsible licensed businesses are being punished as a whole, even though we pay significant annual fees to operate and work hard to maintain professional standards.

Meanwhile, the bylaws regulating CDWs are decades out of date, written in the 1990s, and do not reflect today’s trail usage, dog ownership, or industry practices. Instead of updating these bylaws and working collaboratively with the CDW community, the District has restricted safe access points and ignored repeated safety concerns raised in meetings and correspondence.

Commercial Dog Walkers are not the problem. We are part of the solution. We provide an essential service for working families, seniors, and busy residents who rely on us to care for their pets. We employ local staff, contribute to the community, and follow strict safety and training protocols. We clean up after our dogs, respect other trail users, and take pride in being responsible operators.

We are calling on the Mayor and Council of the District of North Vancouver to:

• Restore access to Braemar at Dempsey, with parking on the north side of Braemar Road between Dempsey and Princess. This area has no nearby residences, slower traffic, and improved visibility. It also addresses resident concerns about noise and parking in front of homes, helping balance community needs with CDW operations.
• Take immediate steps to improve safety at Kilmer—including traffic calming, crosswalk installation, off-street parking or a designated unloading zone, and trail maintenance to address steep, narrow, and overgrown sections—before requiring its use as a primary access point.
• Consult with Commercial Dog Walkers as stakeholders in trail management decisions.
• Provide enforcement presence so that issues like waste or noise are addressed with accountability, rather than blanket restrictions.

By signing this petition, you are standing up for safety, fairness, and common sense. You are supporting local small businesses, protecting dogs and their walkers, and ensuring North Vancouver’s trails remain safe and welcoming for all.

This is not just about dog walkers — it’s about community safety, responsible policy-making, and valuing the voices of those who live and work here. Please add your name and share widely. Together, we can urge the District to reverse unsafe policies and work toward solutions that benefit everyone.