White Rock's foreshore is under provincial jurisdiction and falls within the Boundary Bay wildlife area

Conservation officers have issued five violation tickets so far

WHITE ROCK (NEWS 1130) – Conservation officers are issuing tickets to dog owners for not keeping their pets leashed while on the White Rock’s beach.

Officers have issued five violation tickets with fines of $115 and issued seven warnings since January for dogs not on leash along the foreshore, according to the Peace Arch News.

Last year, the province amended a section of the Wildlife Management Act to allow leashed dogs in some environmentally sensitive areas and posted signs at the beach, stating off-leash dogs are prohibited.

White Rock’s foreshore is under provincial jurisdiction and falls within the Boundary Bay wildlife area, which is considered vital to migrating birds and important shell fish harvesting area for The Semiahmoo First Nation.

Dogs within the wildlife area must be on a leash no longer than two metres.

The city opened the promenade to leashed dogs as part of a controversial pilot project in October. Prior to that, officers issued only warnings.

The Dogs on the Promenade pilot project continues until March 31.

While dogs are allowed on the promenade, they’re still banned on the beach.