The B.C. Conservation Officer Service is reminding people that off-leash dogs are not allowed in the wildlife management area.
Stuart Bates, a conservation officer out of Nanaimo, told The NEWS that there have been a number of calls into the conservation office about people walking their dogs off leash in the wildlife management area, specifically at the north end of Shelly Road in Parksville.
“The dogs can be on the beach, but they have to be on a leash no more than two metres,” Bates said. “The only difference is during the brant geese, there are no dogs allowed in certain sections of the wildlife management area.”
The Parksville-Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area stretches nearly all of the waterfront length of Parksville to Qualicum Beach.
Last year, Bates said, the conservation office was proactively heading out to the wildlife management area to hand out warnings after a number of calls into the office.
Bates said this year, conservation officers won’t be giving out anymore warnings.
“We’re done giving out warnings. This is not new.”
The fine for an off-leash dog is $115, he said.
There are also four rules in the wildlife management area: dogs must be leashed, no camping/tents (not even for the day), no motorized vehicles and no fires year round.
“The regulations are designed to protect the area and the animals in it.”
Send story tips: lauren.collins@pqbnews.com