On the importance of leashing dogs in natural areas
I think nearly every Canadian has had a special dog in their life. Mine was Thor, a lumbering and loyal black lab with a stubby tail and terrible gas. We got him when I was ten, and he was my best buddy for a decade. He came with me on my morning Province paper route, we played in the park every afternoon, and I think some of my friends actually preferred his company to mine.
The author with his good buddy Thor in 1981
So, this isn’t an anti-dog or anti-dog owner article; rather, it’s an argument for controlling dogs when walking in natural areas. I never thought about how Thor’s presence affected the wildlife as we played, but after years of watching biodiversity suffer from humanity’s progress, it seems that the impact of off-leash dogs in nature reserves is something that now needs addressing.
In 2022, 39% of Canadian households had dogs, approximately 7.9 million in total, and they all have to walk. Remember, dogs are apex predators, and even if their owner believes they are in control, any prey species will not take that risk. One study found dog-walking in a forest led to a 35% reduction in bird diversity. Another study indicated lower deer numbers within 100 metres of a trail and fewer small mammals within 50 metres of a trail. On Salt Spring, farmers have had livestock killed by dogs, and a popular Burgoyne Bay trail had to be closed due to an aggressive dog pack. Dogs swimming in wetlands destroy fragile amphibian and insect eggs, and their waste also impacts water quality, something that is highly relevant when considering the need for providing potable water for a growing population.
Dogs are wonderful creatures, and their owners get incredible, heart-warming benefits from having them in their life. But everyone on a public trail has the right to peace, and many would probably like to see some critters that aren’t dogs once in a while. The only way humans and the rest of nature will have clean water in the future is if watersheds and wetlands are kept as healthy as possible. Be they Fluffy, Fido, or Thor, let’s give our four-legged friends love and exercise while also keeping the rest of wildlife in our hearts. Please keep your dogs leashed and in control when walking in nature reserves.
Selected References
Banks, P. B. & Bryant, J. V. (2007). Four-legged friend or foe? Dog walking displaces native birds from natural areas. Biology Letters, 3, pp. 611-613.
Lenth, B., Brennan, M., & Knight, R. L. (2006). The effects of dogs on wildlife communities. https:// assets.bouldercounty.gov/wp-content/ uploads/2017/03/research-report-2006Lenth.pdf Made In CA. (2024, December 31).
Pet ownership statistics in Canada. Retrieved from https://madeinca. ca/pet-ownership-statistics-canada/