A significant and increasing number of dog owners have been ignoring the signs around our school asking them not to bring their dogs onto school grounds and worse, many have been allowing their dogs off-leash on our school's playing field.
Why aren't dogs allowed on school grounds?
Dogs are not permitted within the school grounds, even outside school hours. There are three main reasons:
1. Dogs have been digging up the field making it dangerous for children’s sports and play. The holes make the ground surface uneven, making it more likely that children will fall and injure themselves. School staff have regularly had to spend time repairing holes in the field which they could be devoting to more valuable tasks.
2. Dog feces have been left on school grounds and been stepped on by children. Even when dog owners clean up their dogs’ feces and urine, residue can get on children's hands and be ingested.
3. Dog bites and fear of dogs. Last year a student was bitten by a dog in the playground after school. The bite broke the child’s skin and left a bruise but could have been much worse. Many children don't have the knowledge or judgment to interact safely with dogs and dogs are animals that can behave unexpectedly.
1. Dogs have been digging up the field making it dangerous for children’s sports and play. The holes make the ground surface uneven, making it more likely that children will fall and injure themselves. School staff have regularly had to spend time repairing holes in the field which they could be devoting to more valuable tasks.
2. Dog feces have been left on school grounds and been stepped on by children. Even when dog owners clean up their dogs’ feces and urine, residue can get on children's hands and be ingested.
3. Dog bites and fear of dogs. Last year a student was bitten by a dog in the playground after school. The bite broke the child’s skin and left a bruise but could have been much worse. Many children don't have the knowledge or judgment to interact safely with dogs and dogs are animals that can behave unexpectedly.
What can I do to help?
If you are a dog owner, please do not bring your dog onto the school grounds.
If you see people with dogs on school grounds, especially if they are off-leash, please submit a report to the City of Vancouver using the VAN311 App or call 311. The more reports the City receives, the more likely we are to get action on this serious problem.
If you see people with dogs on school grounds, especially if they are off-leash, please submit a report to the City of Vancouver using the VAN311 App or call 311. The more reports the City receives, the more likely we are to get action on this serious problem.
Where can dog owners take their dogs to exercise off-leash?
- Nelson Park – 1030 Bute Street
- Sunset Beach Park behind the Vancouver Aquatic Centre
- Stanley Park Shuffleboard court area off Lagoon Drive
- Devonian Harbour Park at 1929 W Georgia St
- Emery Barnes Park at Davie and Richards Street
More details on these off-leash areas can be found at www.vancouver.ca.