Puslinch is not going to the dogs, but councillors here are renting some of its public land for retriever training.
On June 1, Puslinch councillors agreed to a request by John Hamilton for the temporary use of storm water management lands in the Aberfoyle Business Park.
Hamilton advised the township that training of the retrievers encompasses the use of whistles, blank guns, pigeons, imitation ducks and bumpers.
Hamilton sought use of the lands from July 2 to Nov. 30 this year (weather permitting) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.
A licence agreement has been prepared and the primary conditions of the agreement are:
– licence fee, nominal consideration for the use of the lands ($2). There is also an agreement administration fee of $500 in accordance with the township’s user fee bylaw;
– the agreement can be terminated with 60 days’ written notice; and
– the licensee is to maintain the premises in a good state of repair and in a clean condition to the full satisfaction of the township and required to provide proof of $2-million liability insurance, naming the township as an additional insured party.
Hamilton is also required to provide proof that he had notified both the abutting property owners and the OPP.
The administrative fee is $500.
Hamilton has been a property owner in Puslinch since 1969 and has lived in the Puslinch area since 1972.
“I have trained retrievers for field trials, hunt tests, etc. since 1954, and have been a C.K.C. (Canadian Kennel Club) judge for a considerable number of years,” he wrote.
“It is my wish to be granted permission by the Township of Puslinch, to use the lands located on McLean Road (north side/opposite Go bus station) east of Highway 6, also designated wetlands, for training retrievers for hunt tests, etc. three to four times weekly.”
Councillor Ken Roth had no issue with the request, but appreciated Hamilton will be required to notify the neighbours.
“It still sounds like a gun being fired, whether the ammunition is live or a blank,” said Roth, who asked if there are complaints by the neighbours, “Can we stop this?”
CAO Karen Landry affirmed the township could.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer had similar concerns. As he understood, Hamilton was seeking the same things he could already do on his rural property.
The difference here is it is on public land. The request was approved.
