Dog owners who let their pets loose in Arboretum Park, located at Ottawa's Experimental Farm, may soon be faced with hefty fines for letting their dogs off their leashes.
The possibility comes as Agriculture Canada considers a $125 fine for owners who let their dogs run freely in the park.
Dog owners in the capital, though, spoke out against the proposal Monday, saying there are already too few off-leash areas in the city.
"I feel hard done by it because I think my dogs are well-behaved. I think there are dogs that should be on leash and whose owners should be paying a $125 fine," one dog owner told CTV Ottawa.
"I find if the dogs are on the leash, they are more aggressive with each other. And, when they're off the leash . . . they sniff each other out and see who's who," added Patty Brady.
Meanwhile, Dean Dunn said a rule that would force him to put his dog on a leash would be unfair to his dog.
"This is where I take her to get rid of the excess energy. It's good for her to meet people, intertwine with people," he said.
Others say they will test the waters to see how strict the rule will be enforced before they put their dogs back on a leash.
"I might risk one fine. I don't think I'd risk a second. I'm not that wealthy," said Roz Allchin.
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