Pet store ban on cat and dog sales

A new proposal to make it illegal to sell these pets in stores
This issue will be debated by the city in new year
Kris Scheuer
(Written Aug. 13 for Town Crier.)

Dean Maher with his poodle Betty. Photo courtesy of Dean Maher.

If Dean Maher has his way, people won’t be asking, ‘How much is that doggy in window?’
The Ward 20 council candidate wants the city to ban the sale of cats and dogs from all Toronto pet stores. The issue is up for debate at city hall.

“The overall goal is to reduce unwanted pets,” Maher said Aug. 10.
Many unwanted animals end up in shelters and in some cases, if their health is particularly bad, they are euthanized.
In 2009, the Toronto Humane Society had 4,701 cats and 1,382 dogs and a total of 394 were euthanized, according to information Maher obtained from the organization.

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Dogs banned at Sunnyside Beach in warm weather

Dogs will be allowed on-leash only in winter
Summer, spring, fall access will be off limits
By Kris Scheuer
(Written Oct. 28 for Town Crier.)

A policy approved by city council will see all dogs barred from Sunnyside Beach in the spring, summer and part of the fall. Photo by Francis Crescia/Town Crier.

Pooches will soon be forbidden for part of the year at Sunnyside Beach — even if they’re on a leash.
Currently, residents can walk their dogs on-leash all year at the west end beachfront.
City council, acting on a staff recommendation that on-leash access at this local beach be restricted to winter months only, approved the new policy on Oct. 27.
Dogs will be banned from Sunnyside Beach in the spring, summer and part of the fall, effective April 1. Under the proposed policy, dogs would be allowed on-leash only between Nov. 1 and March 31.
Parkdale-High Park councillor Bill Saundercook vowed to contest any further changes limiting access for dogs at Sunnyside Beach.

Dogs allowed off-leash on beaches

Pooches will permitted off lead at Kew-Balmy and Woodbine beaches
This trial run will be only during winter months and needs city approval
Parks committee approved compromise today
By Kris Scheuer
(Originally written Oct. 15 for Town Crier.)

Chris Yaccato, left, with Boo and Diane McConnell with Callie asked the city for a compromise policy for dogs on the beach.

After a battle with the city, a compromise has been struck to allow dogs on beaches in the winter months.
Councillor Sandra Bussin hashed out a compromise that was endorsed unanimously at the Parks and Environment Committee on Oct. 15.
For two beaches at Woodbine and Kew-Balmy, dog owners will be allowed to let their pooches run free off-leash between Nov. 1 to March 31 for a trail run.
In the summer, the dogs won’t be allowed on these beaches either on or off a lead but instead will be relegated to existing nearby off-leash dog parks at Silverbirch and Kew Gardens.