City okays controversial ban on dogs at Kew-Balmy beach

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Need for safe water trumps pet owners

February 25, 2009
Donovan Vincent
CITY HALL BUREAU

Toronto City Council has approved a controversial plan that will ban dogs from Kew-Balmy beach so it can meet the international Blue Flag standard.

As well, councillors last night approved spending $1 million for an enclosed curtain to deflect dirty water at Sunnyside beach.

The Blue Flag designation means the water is safe to swim in, and such beaches are out of bounds for dogs year-round. The city has already applied for the designation, an "eco-label'' given to beaches around the world. It's expected the designation will come in April.

Dog owners have argued that Kew-Balmy is a popular off-leash area in the winter, but city staff are concerned about dog waste left in the sand when the snow melts.

Mayor David Miller said the plan is essential to ensure the city's beaches reach the highest international standards and are safe and clean for swimmers.

Miller said that those goals have been "sidetracked'' by the dog issue, and whether unleashed dogs should be able to "use beaches that children swim in and play on as a bathroom.''

Local councillor Sandra Bussin put forward an amendment to the plan, which called for parks and recreation staff to study how Blue Flag status would affect dogs.

Her motion was approved.

The city has six Blue Flag beaches and the plan calls for another five, including Kew-Balmy, to be brought up to that level.

Paula Fletcher, another waterfront councillor, said Toronto's lakefront has at least three off-leash areas where people can take their dogs for a swim.

Lou Di Gironimo, general manager of Toronto Water, said the city has tested lake water for E. coli and found the largest amounts were the result of gull and goose excrement.

"The dog isn't the main polluter, it's the birds. It's always been the birds,'' Councillor Michael Walker said, adding dogs appear to be the "victim'' in the city's new plan.

Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby said she finds it "a bit extreme'' that the city isn't allowing dogs on some beaches. She referred to images of California beaches where young people are frolicking on the sand and in the water with their dogs.

"Is the world falling apart? I don't think so,'' she said.

Meanwhile bids are sought from firms interested in installing the curtain at Sunnyside.

Plans for the three-year pilot project are to have it in place this summer and to enclose an area about 200 metres long, and up to 30 metres offshore, in front of the Sunnyside Pavilion.