Colin Kingsford takes his dog Sydney for a walk around the block almost daily but he would have never expected to have his puppy almost seized from him.
That happened on Wednesday (Feb. 7) as animal control officers 鈥� including one who grabbed the dog鈥檚 leash 鈥� said they were going to seize the pet even though Sydney was leashed at the time.
While walking Sydney around Victoria鈥檚 Craigdarroch Castle, Kingsford was approached by an animal control officer and told he was receiving an infraction for having the dog off-leash on the historical site鈥檚 grounds.
The 82-year-old immediately put Sydney back on her leash, but the officer continued to say he was issuing an infraction. Kingsford said in an interview he didn鈥檛 see any signs at the castle saying whether dogs are allowed or if they must be on leash.
The pet owner walked away, but the officer followed and asked for his personal information and dog licence. Kingsford then called police as he continued to be followed several blocks away from the castle.
By the time he and Sydney reached the corner of Pandora and Camosun streets, the pair were surrounded by multiple animal control officers. Kingsford said Sydney remained calm although the animal control officers were tugging on her leash.
鈥淚t is intimidating, these three young guys surrounding you and one of them grabs my (dog鈥檚) leash and starts pulling on it,鈥� said Kingsford.
Story continues below photo
That鈥檚 when a passerby started to video the interaction, which was subsequently posted online. The video shows the animal control officer pulling on Sydney鈥檚 leash several times as Kingsford pulls back.
The video鈥檚 poster, who is heard speaking with another officer out of view, asks what bylaws the dog walker broke before the officer responds that Kingsford didn鈥檛 have the dog on a leash at the castle. When the poster concerningly asks 鈥測ou鈥檙e taking his dog,鈥� the off-screen officer responds 鈥淵es. When they鈥檙e non-compliant like this, this is what has to happen.鈥�
鈥淭hat is super not okay, the dog is on leash right now,鈥� poster Leda Shields is heard saying in the Instagram video.
Victoria鈥檚 Animal Responsibility Bylaw outlines how officers may seize and impound a dog if it isn鈥檛 firmly held on a leash by its owner in public areas where leashes are required. Kingsford appeared to be abiding by the bylaw when the officer told Shields they were taking the dog, seeing as Sydney was leashed at that time.
Black Press Media asked Animal Control Services about the incident and the agency said the City of Victoria would address the matter. The city said in a statement, 鈥渨e have heard the community鈥檚 concern regarding the interaction between Animal Control and the resident this past week. The city will be following up with our service provider.鈥�
At one point, the officer who was holding the leash is heard in the video saying 鈥淲e have the authority to seize your dog if it鈥檚 not licenced.鈥� Police eventually arrived and Kingsford provided them with his dog licence and personal information.
After police spoke with animal control services, they returned to Kingsford with two tickets 鈥� a warning and another fining him for having the dog off-leash. Kingsford plans to contest the fine.
鈥�(Sydney) was on the leash and if anyone wants to dispute that, the video shows (it) very clearly,鈥� added Kingsford.
He was shocked he was issued more than a warning.
鈥淚鈥檓 just looking for an apology in writing.鈥�
READ:
