As locals who often frequent the estuary know, off-leash dogs can cause disruptions for wildlife, such as bears and nesting geese.
The Skwelwil ’em Squamish Estuary is within a Wildlife Management Area (WMA), an area designated under the Provincial Wildlife Act to maintain and restore wildlife species and their habitats.
The BC Wildlife Act states that all dogs must be on a leash in designated Wildlife Management Areas.
Therefore, all dogs must be leashed while in the estuary.
But what if folks aren’t complying?
The District of Squamish does not have the authority to enforce District Bylaws on Crown land and Animal Control does not have the jurisdiction to respond to complaints involving wildlife, Rachel Boguski, spokesperson for the District told The Squamish Chief.
“As the District has no authority to issue a Provincial ticket under the Wildlife Act, our presence in the Estuary is purely educational,” she said.
“District of Squamish Bylaw Services and the Conservation Officer Service (COS) collaborate to ensure that off-leash dogs do not harass wildlife and will undertake patrols in the area to educate people on the importance of recreating responsibly.
“The District’s Bylaw Enforcement officers, Animal Control officers and Community Patrol officers work collaboratively with Crown representatives and attend as needed in order to educate or communicate with offenders.”
Last year, the Conservation Officer Service reached out to the District for help patrolling the estuary trails, Boguski said.
Animal Control and Community Patrol officers patrolled the area to educate the public about keeping dogs on leash.
No tickets nor written warnings were issued. Results of the patrols were shared with the Conservation Officer Service.
So what do you do if you see an off-leash dog in the estuary?
The District recommends folks report off-leash dogs in the Wildlife Management Area to the 24/7 RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) or the Bylaw Department at 604-815-5067.
Though not specific to the estuary, as of April 25, the District’s Bylaw Enforcement Department has received 88 calls related to off-leash dogs in the district so far in 2022.
In related news, Boguski said the District would soon begin a phased opening of off-leash dog locations.
One of the locations endorsed by council during the fall of 2021 is expected to be opened for off-leash dogs this spring. Details about this location and opening date will be announced shortly, she said.
*Please note, this story has been modified since it was first posted to reflect the District will be opening one off-leash location this spring, not two, as The Squamish Chief was previously told.
