Don’t evict us from arena, dog groups say

The work of local dog groups and their members go far beyond that of parading their pooches for show.

The work of local dog groups and their members go far beyond that of parading their pooches for show.

As city council heard last night from nine of the 12 delegates making presentations at the meeting, the various dog clubs contribute to the community in a valuable way.

Their classes help responsible dog owners train their dogs and give the animals a safe place to socialize, leading to a safer community, council heard.

As well, their events like the annual dog show bring additional revenue to the city. Sometimes, they even help owners find the right kind of dog for them, council was told.

Numerous dog club officials and dog owners were on-hand at Monday’s standing-room-only council meeting, asking the city to grant another extension so the animals can train in the Takhini Arena mezzanine.

“These classes change people’s lives,” said Naomi Smith of the Yukon Schutzhound Association.

City officials closed the arena to animals – with the exception of service dogs – in April. They did so after granting an extension the previous January to the dog groups that use the mezzanine in the winter for their weekly classes and events.

The decision to close off the mezzanine was made in the interests of health and safety, and falls in line with what is being done in other areas, city officials have said.

While the city and dog groups have been working together to find other sites to host their classes, the dog groups say any place they’ve looked at has either been too expensive or doesn’t meet their needs.

The groups have seen an increase of more than $21 an hour in their rental rates from 2009/2010, when they were $14.86 an hour, to 2010/2011, when they were $36.38 an hour. Despite this, the groups say they need the space through the winter so training can be done year-round.

“The dog clubs are grateful for the space and have always adjusted their time lines to adapt to the other users when assigned the schedule by city parks and rec,” it was noted in a letter to the city by long-time Yukon Kennel Club member Bonnitta Ritchie. It was presented by Keith Taggart.

“Each day of the week, the mezzanine was booked by one or more of the dog clubs, paying for the working space and the storage space as well. The usual booking was three hours per club.

“The Yukon Kennel Club requests now that you reconsider your previous decision and continue to allow dog clubs to rent the Takhini Mezzanine at least for the next year in recognition of the sport and education contribution the dog clubs offer to the residents of Whitehorse.”

After reading the letter, which triggered applause from those in the gallery, Taggart asked what’s wrong with having the dogs in the mezzanine.

While council normally doesn’t answer questions of delegates nor debate the issues with them, Coun. Dave Stockdale replied that it doesn’t seem appropriate to have the animals there.

“You will get an accumulation of, I don’t know, whatever,” he said.

At a press conference earlier Monday, city officials noted the build-up of dog hair that gets into the duct work of the building and then into the air.

A number of the delegates argued last night the city has never provided a good explanation of why it’s evicting the dog groups.

“No real answer has been given,” said trainer Sabine Almstrom.

Laura Priestly, director of Trainers@large, noted that while the dog groups sympathize with those who have allergies, permitting service dogs into the arena will not solve the allergy issue.

She noted some of those taking training classes with their pups have allergies.

Those with allergies take precautions, Priestly noted.

She pointed out signage could warn those coming into the rink of the dogs. Those with peanut allergies, for example, are warned by food labelling.

The city’s move to close the mezzanine to dog training is causing a lot of stress and hardship to a large group of people, she said.

“We feel we’ve all been a little rushed,” Priestly said.

A number of officials with dog groups spoke in favour of an umbrella-like organization for the various dog groups in the city.

It would work on finding a new training location, but group representatives noted they would need more time with training classes typically starting in September.

Erika Rozsa-Atkinson of Canines and Company noted she may have a lead on a location next to Glacier Waters, but also said, “It does take time.”

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