City removes 'no barking' signs at Montreal dog park following public outcry
Montreal's Saint-Leonard borough has removed the "no barking" signs at a local dog park after the message was "misinterpreted" by the public.
According to a borough spokesperson, the plan was not to fine all owners with barking dogs; rather, "the intent was to target excessive behaviour."
"However, understanding that the message was misinterpreted, the borough has removed the signs," reads a statement from Anne-Émilie Thibault sent to CTV News on Friday.
Installed last week at the park on Jean-Talon Street and Provencher Boulevard, the signs stated that "it is forbidden to let your dog bark, whine, or howl," with the threat of a $500 to $2,000 fine attached.
The addition unleashed fury among some local dog owners, who said the rule was too rigid and lamented that they weren't consulted beforehand.
But the city noted that the measure existed before the signs were hung up.
"The intention of the borough behind these signs was first and foremost to remind a municipal bylaw already in effect [and to] remind dog owners that they must make sure to respect the peace and quiet of the residents who live in the vicinity," Thibault's statement continues.
The City of Montreal has two bylaws on dog supervision in place to “preserve public health or safety and to limit nuisances,” said a city spokesperson in a statement.
“Barking, if excessive, is considered a nuisance, and the boroughs intervene in order to promote harmonious cohabitation between users of the public domain,” it continued.
The city says boroughs can implement measures to reduce noise at dog parks depending on where the park is located and how often it’s used.
Last week, the borough said it's developing other measures to combat disruptions at the dog park, including adding a fence or hedge to try to limit the noise.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for "all parties" to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Taylor Swift drops 15 new songs on double album, 'The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology'
On Friday, the pop star released her 11th album and at 2 a.m. Eastern, she released "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology," featuring 15 additional songs.
Israel gave U.S. last-minute warning about drone attack on Iran, Italian foreign minister says at G7
The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received 'last minute' information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, but didn't participate in the apparent attack, officials said.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.