News & Updates from the park

KPDC Introduces Number Two Clue

Posted by Kilcona Park Dog Club / in Information /

KPDC Introduces Number Two Clue

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from one of our members. Robyn Maharaj is a writer, fundraiser, marketer, former arts administrator and the newest member of KPDC’s Marketing Committee. Robyn and her girl Kobe, a 12 year-old shepherd/greyhound cross, have been coming to Kilcona Park for the past five years.

Robyn’s email lead to the creation of KPDC’s new Number Two Clue dog waste management program that members approved at the club’s Annual General Meeting on November 19.

As Robyn explains, “The Number Two Clue Program evolved from [a recent experience at the park]. I was there on Saturday with lots of other people and their dogs ( great weather! ) and observed two dogs defecating. No one was cleaning up after them.

Because of the crowd assembled in the main area behind the dog club bulletin boards near the parking lot, I don’t think it was intentional but rather accidental as everyone was chatting, playing with other dogs, etc.  It got me thinking that perhaps there is a way to alert dog owners when this is occurring so that no owner can say they weren’t aware.

I don’t think [the program] has to be super-organized ( like creating or coordinating volunteer schedules ) but rather promoted as a volunteer option for those who go to the park and congregate in the main areas where the dogs play. If a dog owner plans to hang out there for a period of time, why not help out to keep the dog park cleaner?

From what I have observed, most owners who walk their dogs around the fields or on the trails are pretty good cleaning up after their dogs.

Because of the amount of play in the areas around the parking lot, it would be great if those areas were kept clean by the dog owners.”

Robyn is certainly not the only person who’s observed that many Kilcona dog owners are not stooping and scooping. Responsible dog owners complain to each other at the park, on social media and in emails to the Board.

Dog feces carry serious diseases and parasites; KPDC asks  Kilcona’s dog park community to step up and be part of an initiative to make the park a cleaner, healthier, safer place.

The Number Two Clue Program works like this. Carry a whistle. If you see a dog defecating, and observe that no one is preparing to clean up after it, give two short whistles to attract the owner’s attention and point to the offending dog.

Bringing a flashlight to the park makes it easier to find the right spot and pick up after dark.

Follow the link below and check out the  Number Two Clue poster that Robyn and Maple Grove’s Allison Machovec (Pet-quette designer) created for the park bulletin board using a photo by Greg Conn’s (Chico’s dad) as the background.

Number Two Clue is not meant to be a punishment or shaming. It’s simply dog owners looking out for fellow dog owners.

The new program is integrated with KPDC’s Extra Bag Solution. Carry extra bags, pick up one extra “offering” whenever you visit the park and  don’t hesitate to offer a bag to an owner in need.

Donna Henry
President
Kilcona Park Dog Club Inc.

Small Notice-for-Clue-Program

Winners!!

Posted by Kilcona Park Dog Club / in Events, Information /

The following are the winners of the door prizes, 50/50 draw, and the early bird membership draws held at the Annual General Meeting on Nov 19, 2012.

 

Winner of the 50/50 Draw $25

Jo-Anne Storie

Winner of the first door prize

(One day free doggy day care at Sprockett’s Doggy Day Care)

Michelle Carbotte

Winner of second door prize

(One day free doggy day care at Sprockett’s Doggy Day Care)

Rosalyn Jones-Smith

Winner of the Early bird membership draw for a $50 Gift Certificate at Alpine Animal Hospital

Tony Zerucha (No photo available)

KPDC AGM elects full board Nov 19, 2012

Posted by Kilcona Park Dog Club / in Information /

The Kilcona Park Dog Club Inc. elected a full slate of Directors at its Annual General Meeting on Nov 19, 2012

Here are the Directors for the Nov 1, 2012 to Oct 31, 2013 fiscal year:

Donna Henry  –  President

Susan Argue  –  Vice President

Kathleen Kirkman   –  Secretary

Craig Handkamer   –  Treasurer

Tanya Hirsch   –   Director of Membership

Jeff Henry   –  Director of Marketing

Wayne L’Esperance   –   Director of Events

Aggressive Dogs/Attacks at Kilcona

Posted by Kilcona Park Dog Club / in Information /

What You Need to Know about Aggressive Dogs/Attacks at Kilcona

 

Kilcona Park Dog Club and Animal Services Agency met last week to discuss aggressive dogs and dog attacks at the park. Here’s an update from that meeting.

 

At 49 hectares Kilcona’s off-leash area is the largest in Winnipeg. That’s about half of all the off-leash space in the city. Including the on-leash area, the entire park extends over 100 hectares and there are about ten kilometers of trails.

 

An attack can happen anywhere in the park and it happens in a split second. It’s unrealistic to expect Animal Services to be at the location where an altercation occurs.

 

If you own a dog –

 

• Be vigilant when the park is filled with dogs. Dogs are predictably unpredictable but they are calmer in smaller groups.
• Remember that you are a member of Kilcona’s dog community. Be responsible – watch and supervise your dog, even if you’re chatting with another dog owner. Your main focus must be on your dog and his behavior, as well as the behavior of others. Listen for growls and barks, and watch for body language that might indicate trouble.

 

If you own an aggressive dog –

 

• It is against the law to take your dog to an off-leash area, even if it’s leashed and muzzled.
• A dog must be removed from the off-leash area at the first sign of aggression.
• Dog owners and walkers are legally responsible for their own dog(s) and any injury or damage caused by their dog(s).

 

If your dog is attacked –

 

• Treat the situation the same way you would if you have a car accident.

 

You or a designated person needs to get the aggressive dog’s owner’s name and/or vehicle license number.

 

• Talk to witnesses and get their contact information.

 

• Call 311. Report every incident to Winnipeg Animal Services Agency.

 

Reporting attacks helps protect the entire dog community. Unbeknownst to you, the dog that attacked yours may have attacked others at Kilcona or elsewhere.

 

Enforcement officers investigate every incident as long as you provide them with enough information to find the owner and you don’t report it anonymously.

 

• Don’t negotiate payment of the vet bill in exchange for a promise not to report the incident. The law is on your side – dog owners are legally responsible for any injury or damage caused by their dogs.

 

• Call 911 if the attack is serious, especially if a person has been injured. Police can get to the park very quickly.

 

If you witness a dog attack –

 

• Remember – Kilcona dog owners are a community. Don’t be a bystander; step forward and provide your contact information to the victim’s owner and, if asked, provide information to Winnipeg Animal Services Agency about the incident.

 

AN INVITATION

Posted by Kilcona Park Dog Club / in Events, Information /

Kilcona Park Dog Club General Meeting

AN INVITATION

Please join us for Monday night’s AGM. Guest speakers are marketing specialist Robyn Maharaj and Little Mountain Park Pet Owners Association organizer, Kristy Greening.

If you’re tired of dog owners who don’t pick up and tired of stepping in poo, you won’t want to miss Robyn’s presentation. She’ll unveil a humorous new initiative to clean up Kilcona and raise funds for park improvements.

Winnipeg’s off-leash area is shrinking rapidly. In June the City of Winnipeg closed Transcona’s only dog park; Charleswood’s off-leash area will be closed in 2014 to accommodate an extension to the William Clement Parkway; this summer the City reduced Little Mountain’s off-leash area by half, forcing dogs and owners into the most dangerous area of the park adjacent to two busy provincial roads.

Now Little Mountain dog owners have discovered that the off-leash area will be permanently closed to make way for a major Centreport Canada transportation corridor. Kristy will share what a small group of Little Mountain dog owners are doing to save their off-leash area and why a dog club will play an important role.

The KPDC/ City of Winnipeg Consultative Committee met on Friday. Hear about the City’s plans for trail stabilization in the off-leash area, a protocol for dealing with dog aggression and attacks, and other park news.

Find out the latest about Winnipeg’s new dog park coalition.

Pick up your copy of Pet-iquette.

Refreshments, including corporate sponsor JD Hoggs’ custom-smoked sausage, will be served.