Dogwalker claims pups were pepper sprayed during altercation on popular North Vancouver trail
The Hyannus trail system on the Nort Shore is known as a pooch paradise but one dogwalker claims a recent altercation with a hiker turned ugly.
The dogwalker, who didn't want to be named for this story, tells CTV News she was walking on a dog-friendly off-leash trail earlier this month when her pack of dogs crossed paths with an unsuspecting woman.
She says the woman was startled and started screaming, which further excited the dogs. She says the woman then pulled out pepper spray and deployed it the dogs' faces. The dogwalker claims the woman then threatened her and followed her down the trail.
"She was very upset and scared," said Marg Lesage, owner of Dog Zen, the company the dogwalker works for.
Lesage says despite the woman feeling spooked, there's no excuse for what happened.
"This is a designated commercial dog walking trail that we are allowed on with off-leash dogs," said Lesage. "We are allowed six dogs."
The Baden Powell trail within the Hyannus system is one of four designated commercial dog-walking trails in the district.
Kim Dolmage also works for Lesage and says she's noticed tensions rising on the trail recently.
"I mean, it was kind of surprising pepper spray was actually released. It's not the first time it's been used as a threat," she said.
She also says better signage could help trail users avoid future conflicts.
"I do wish there was more signage," said Dolmage. "When people are unhappy with us I actually ask them to use their voice to help us to either try and get us more trails or better signage."
Lesage told CTV News the pandemic puppy boom, combined with a lack of commercial dog-walking areas has resulted in more conflicts in recent years.
"I think they're just so busy that it's difficult to have so many people and dogs in such a small area," said Lesage. "Maybe they can open [trails] up to us a little bit more."
Earlier this year, police arrested a man for an altercation with a commercial dogwalker in North Vancouver's McCartney Creek Park.
The District of North Vancouver told CTV News there are currently no plans in place to expand the commercial dog-walking trail network.
A spokesperson for the North Vancouver RCMP says a file has been opened but details of the incident are unclear.
"In this case, we want to speak with the other person who's involved with this incident just to understand their side of what took place so that we can make a determination if we can do anything further," said Sgt. Peter Devries.
Devries says it's not uncommon for trail users to carry pepper or bear spray as a precaution due to wildlife in the area.
Police advise any trail users who are afraid of dogs to avoid areas that are designated for commercial dog walkers.
The dogs affected by the pepper spray were treated and have fully recovered.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.