Park Board Follows Up Reports of Sick Dogs

May 17, 2004 (No. 28) - The Vancouver Park Board is continuing to work with police, animal control, health and railway officials to follow up on recent reports of dogs becoming sick that had visited the area around and including Cambridge Park. At this time, there is no evidence of any concerns in this park. The park is located at Wall and Powell Streets in East Vancouver adjacent to rail lines.

A security guard was dispatched to the site on Saturday, Sunday and today to inform park users of these reports. Park Board staff visited the site throughout the weekend and again today and a crew completed a cleanup of the park and playground. Cambridge Park remains open. New signs were erected today in Cambridge and in neighbouring Oxford Park advising dog owners to keep their pets under direct control, monitor their dog's activity in the area closely, and seek medical attention should any symptoms of illness develop. The Park Board is continuing to monitor the situation.

Cambridge is an 'on-leash' park. The Park Board does not use any pesticides in the maintenance of this parkland.

The public is asked to contact Mac Stairs, Park Supervisor, at 604-718-6212 if they have any information relating to these reports or if they have any concerns and questions.

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Media contact: Joyce Courtney, Manager of Communications, 604-257-8699

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 200 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.