Westmount Independent

Westmount Independent, December 1-2, 2009

Dog owners to Westmount: ‘Build up this wall’
Some of Westmount’s dog owners staged a small demonstration at the Lans- downe dog run on November 27.
Their issue? The owners – led by Paul Creighton, who has attended several city council meetings on the same issue – would like to see two feet of fence added to the current barrier, given that some dogs have escaped in the past, including Creighton’s dog Chaucer.
As shown in the photograph, some dogs can easily look over the fence, even when there is no snow. Chaucer was guided to mount the fence, but Murdoch needed no encouragement. Despite the Independent’s suggestion, no dog was allowed to attempt a fence-jump because they are being trained by their owners not to do so.
Creighton’s daughter, Amy Creighton, contends that most North American dog fences are four to five feet high and West- mount’s are in the two feet to three-and- half feet range.
The owners are also interested in the idea of adding hedge height or depth (including an inside hedge), but other people see a higher hedge as a public safety issue.
From left, Paul Creighton with Chaucer, Cathy Blundell with Murdoch, and Sherril with Pici. Not pictured: Mike Haimes with Buster.