New Westminster artist Margaret Halsey loves taking her beloved dog Smith with her everywhere: to work, to the park and – if she gets her way – she’d like to bring him on the SkyTrain.

Halsey presented the idea to the TransLink board last week, saying she’d like to be able to bring her well-behaved whippet on the public transit system. She says the dog would be leashed.

Halsey says all the dogs would be checked over for suitability -- and need to be licensed. She recommends that every dog wear a coat or sweater to cut down on potential allergic reactions.

Under current rules enacted in 2001, only guide dogs and small pets in carriers are allowed on SkyTrain. Those small pets must be able to fit into a container and fit on the passenger’s lap.

Halsey said her dog isn’t small enough to fit into a carrier on the train, but she’d like the ability to bring her dog to work on transit.

She said allowing four-legged friends on transit will increase mobility for Metro Vancouver residents who don’t have a car, or like to travel with their pet for comfort reasons.

“A lot of people don't have a car and they really can't get anywhere other than their own neighbourhood with a dog to go to the routine vet appointments,” she said.

“There are some dogs that aren't really official service dogs but they really do go with their owner to help them.”

TransLink told CTV News that it will review its pet policy in light of Halsey’s push, but it has many considerations before making a decision.

“Allergy concerns, best practices from other transit agencies, customer and stakeholder consultation as well as operator discussion groups,” a spokesperson said in an email to CTV News.

She suggests that dogs should only be allowed at off-peak hours.

“People come first. The transit is for people and those of us that have dogs would like the opportunity to ride at certain times of the day,” she said.

Toronto's subway welcomes dogs, as does the Underground and Amtrak is currently considering the idea.

Have your say: Should dogs be allowed to ride on the SkyTrain?