For over 6 years I have been advocating for small dog play in our neighbourhood and have had the pleasure to meet over 500 dogs and have them exposed to positive play experiences with dogs their own size. 

While the community has advocated for off-leash space for dogs, and new Winnipeg city bylaws making our dog daycares safer - they fall short in ensuring 'all' dogs have a safe environment to be in.

As our city grows so do the needs of our communities, neighbourhoods, recreational parks and community centers.  Winnipeg has over 10 off-leash parks - only 1 has a small dog enclosure that separates them from the big dogs in the park. 

There are 2 privately run small dog play groups in the city that have operated out of community center grass rinks in the summer - but this year no community center will have us.  The only way we can guarantee a separate play area is to rent out the space to secure the exclusion of larger size dogs - which we were able to be accommodated to, up until this year - the City of Winnipeg is demanding that any outdoor rink being used for off-leash purposes - even 1 hour a week - has to apply and jump through bureaucratic hoops to be sanctioned as an off-leash space.

Now this isn't the story that big dogs are bad - they are not - but just their size, strength and temperament can be a threat to a smaller dog.  And a smaller dog isn't necessarily innocent here as their own big personalities can instigate warnings and conflict. So having the two sizes in an open play area is not safe for the dogs or the dog owners. 

Can you imagine the trauma that dog owners feel when their dog has been attacked? From personal experience, I can tell you it is heartbreaking, and gut-wrenching seeing your sweet best friend injured and scared.  Some scars heal while others stay with them.  The most benefit a small dog play session does for traumatized dogs is give them a safe place to become a dog again.

So I am challenging the city to make changes.  Community spaces with grass rinks should be mandated to offer seasonal off-leash space - but that space must be identified as either small dog or big dog - whether it be days of the week, odd or even days or just different spaces - we need to ensure that all dogs can play safely in our communities.

Off-leash parks must have designated small dog areas.  The Brenda Leipsic dog park is over 4 acres of free range for dogs - we want less than 1/4 of that space for our dogs to roam.  

City of Winnipeg it's time to step up, be like other major cities that ensure safe enclosures for dogs under 30lbs and over 30lbs.  We deserve to have these spaces shareable and safe for both humans and dogs.

Sign your name, share this on your social feed - let your voice be heard!