Just west of Montreal, a dog attack at a popular Hudson beach last week has had consequences for all dogs - and their humans - in the off-island community. A temporary ban on all dogs at the beech is the first step being taken to try to address the problem
Hudson Mayor Jamie Nichols says the situation with dogs at Sandy Beach "has truly gotten out of control" and that he and the municipal Council were forced to take action in the interest of public safety.
Some fifty people attended an emergency Council meeting on Wednesday, where Hudson's elected decided on the temporary ban.
"I know this issue gets heated anywhere you go in Quebec," said Nichols. "In Montreal, dog issues like this usually attract a lot of people, so this is about what I was expecting.
Nichols said citizens who atteneded the special meeting were asked to jot down their suggestions on how to handle the issue and then submit them to Town Hall.
"As a council we (will) look at them and find the best solution going forward to balance the interests of dog walkers and other citizens who enjoy the beach," he said.
The attack happened on Wednesday, when a Hudson man was bitten on the arm and had to pry the dog off by hitting it in the throat.
The second step the town will take is to decide what time restrictions will be enacted so that dog owners may still use the park at certain hours and their third step is to hire two extra patrolers who will do greater enforcement of the town's bylaws.
* Story by Shawn Dear using files by Matt Guité