(JULIE WHITTET / iNFOnews.ca)

KELOWNA - The warm weather means more residents and their dogs are out enjoying the outdoors, and in some cases, that's leading to conflicts with wildlife.

The City of Kelowna issued a press release Thursday afternoon asking dog walkers to help ensure wildlife can enjoy the nice weather too. Park Services was recently notified of an off-leash dog chasing deer in Knox Mountain Park.
 
“Knox Mountain Park, while heavily used by residents, is a wildlife area and the temptation to chase wild animals can be too great for an off-leash dog. There are a seemingly growing number of dog and wildlife incidents reported every year, and they often unfortunately result in an injured wild animal,” Urban Forestry Supervisor Blair Stewart said. “The best way to avoid these encounters is to obey the law and keep dogs on a leash when they’re not in an off-leash park.”
 
Owners of pets that come into conflict with a wild animal are liable for a $345 fine under the Wildlife Act.

Knox Mountain Park is patrolled by the Regional District’s dog control officers at least once daily, including a foot patrol of the Paul’s Tomb Trail.

To report infractions, contact Dog Control at 250-469-6284 or Bylaw Enforcement at 250-469-8686.
  
Dog owners are encouraged to take advantage of Kelowna’s nine off-leash dog parks.
·         Cedar Creek Park, 5200 Lakeshore Rd.
·         Duggan Park, 1494 Bernard Ave. (small dogs only)
·         Ellison Centennial Park, Old Vernon Road at the Ellison Firehall
·         Enterprise Way Dog Park, 2500 Enterprise Way behind the Shaw Cable building
·         Knox Mountain Park, fenced dog run located just inside the second gate
·         Mission Recreation Park, fenced area off Lexington Rd. near Mission Creek Greenway parking lot
·         North Glenmore Dog Park, across from the landfill
·         Rowcliffe Park (Central Green Park), 575-599 Harvey Ave.
·         Rutland Recreation Park, Hartman Rd.
 
Owners are also reminded to bring bags to pick up after their dogs and to properly dispose of the waste in a bin.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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