Long Lake Provincial Park Association has posted several notices in Long Lake Provincial Park stating that pets (notably dogs) must be leashed in the park. Some park users have wondered why dogs should be leashed, and a few refuse to follow this guidance. So why has LLPPA posted these notices?
The first and most direct answer to this question is that provincial and municipal laws require that dogs be leashed. Regulations under the provincial Parks Act require that all pets be leashed in all provincial parks and Long Lake Provincial Park is not an exception. The park has never been an exception to this rule, despite rumours to the contrary. Municipal by-laws also apply to all public spaces within the municipality as signs in the park also make clear.
A deeper question is “why is the law so strict?” Dogs enjoy being off leash. There are four parts to the answer.
First, some people are afraid of dogs. Many people have been bitten by dogs and become afraid as a result, and for some the fear is ingrained and cultural. Provincial parks are intended to be enjoyed by everyone, including small children, elderly people, and those who are fearful of dogs. Keeping dogs leashed is safe and respectful of all trail users.
Second, dog-dog conflicts are not unusual and when the aggressor is not leashed this can lead to serious injury with costly veterinary bills, as has happened at Long Lake. Keeping dogs leashed reduces the possibility of injury and is respectful of others.
Third, off-leash dogs are sometimes at risk in forests and lakes. They may get lost, as has happened at Long Lake. They may meet a porcupine or coyote and end up worse off as a result.
Fourth, dogs can be a threat to wildlife. While incidents of actual physical harm may be relatively rare, incidents of pursuit of wildlife by dogs are commonplace. These pursuits result in stress for wildlife, may displace them from their home territory, and cause energy to be wasted by animals that have no reserve energy to spare. Natural-environment parks like Long Lake exist so that visitors can enjoy natural surroundings that are as undisturbed as possible. Off-leash dogs disturb the tranquil environment that the park was created to maintain.
Hello, and thanks for this much needed “Pet on Leash” enforcement ( Specifically DOGS ). My wife & I have been regular park users since the day it opened. We have witnessed all kinds of dog off leash issues over the years.
We’ve encountered several interactions with running free dogs that could have led to a serious physical interaction ( being attacked ) between the dog and ourselves.
We stopped going to the park on a regular bases because of these encounters with dogs and their owners.
One more important point not mentioned in the posting is about dogs running free is that they have their morning POOP in the woods and no one bothers to pick it up ( out of sight out of mind ). That Poop eventually contaminates the lake.
I wonder why these folks don’t use the “Off Leash Park” just down the road.
Hopefully things will change,
Many who use the old sambro rd end of dam entrance don’t follow the rules. Most are harmless and greet you , on a few occasions I’ve been rushed and snipped at by off leash dogs while fishing. I brushed it off as protecting its owner as they were generally apologetic. I hope once there are some upgrades on that sid3 of the lake maybe park patrol will frequent more often . Maybe designate an area for off leash in the future so dogs can enjoy the water also !
HRM has designated some areas in city parks for dogs to be off-leash. Details are available at:
https://www.halifax.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails-gardens/parks-outdoor-spaces/leash-dog-parks
It is unlikely that the province will change its position regarding provincial parks and the leashing of dogs. Our Association (LLPPA) has no power to change the province’s rules regarding provincial parks, which are crown property.
Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (DNRR) receives reports of violations of park regulations at: 1-800-565-2224