Quinte Conservation is very concerned about off leash dogs and irresponsible owners using the Pooch Path and other trails at Potter’s Creek Conservation Area. An increasing number of complaints from the public have been made about off leash dogs on the regular trails and owners not cleaning up after their pets. General Manager Terry Murphy says, “Dog owners who don’t leash their pets on the regular trails are making it very dangerous for other users of the Conservation Area. We’ve had recent complaints that large off-leash dogs are frightening other users of trails and irresponsible dog owners are not cleaning up after them. I recently hiked the Pooch Path and it was a mess of dog waste.”
Murphy adds, “If dog owners who use the trails here don’t clean up their act we may have to recommend to the board that the Pooch Path be closed and further that dogs must be on a leash in all Quinte Conservation owned Conservation Areas.”
The Potter’s Creek Conservation Area is located at the corner of Highway 2 and Wallbridge Loyalist Road in Belleville and is home to the Quinte Conservation head office. The area features over six kilometres of trails including the half-kilometre Pooch Path where dogs are allowed to be off leash.
“Quinte Conservation wants everyone to use common sense when visiting Conservation Areas,” advises Murphy. “Anyone witnessing inappropriate behaviour on Conservation Authority property can help by calling the police,” he adds.
All dogs must be leashed at all times when visiting most Quinte region Conservation Areas. The Potter’s Creek Conservation Area is the only local conservation property that has an off-leash area. Users of all areas are asked to be prepared to take their garbage with them when the leave.
Quinte Conservation is a community-based environmental protection agency. It serves 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and Prince Edward County. It provides cost-effective environmental expertise and leadership. Quinte Conservation’s main goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem where people and nature live in harmony. More information about Quinte Conservation is available at www.quinteconservation.ca.
