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1. PETS ON PUBLIC
TRANSIT - A PILOT PROJECT LE TRANSPORT EN COMMUN ET LES ANIMAUX DE COMPAGNIE - PROJET-PILOTE |
Committee Recommendation
No Committee
recommendation.
Recommandation du comité
Aucune recommandation du Comité.
Documentation
1. Pedestrian
and Transit Advisory Committee report dated 11 August 2008 (ACS2008-CCV-PTA-0002).
2. Extract of Draft Minute, 20 August 2008.
Report to/Rapport au :
Comité des services de transport en commun
and Council / et au Conseil
Submitted by/Soumis par : Angela
Connidis, Vice-Chair/vice-présidente
Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee/
Comité consultatif sur les piétons et le transport en commun
Contact Person/Personne ressource : Stephanie Brown Bellefeuille,
Advisory Committee Coordinator/Coordonnatrice du comité consultatif
City
Clerk’s Branch/Direction du greffe
(613)
580-2424 x16760, stephanie.brown@ottawa.ca
SUBJECT:
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OBJET :
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LE
TRANSPORT EN COMMUN ET LES ANIMAUX DE COMPAGNIE - PROJET-PILOTE |
REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
The
Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee recommend that the Transit Committee
recommend Council:
1. Direct staff to implement a six-month pilot project to allow small, licensed pets in crates/carriers on public transit, during off-peak hours; and
2. Reconsider the OC Transpo policy on issuing animal assistance cards to accommodate persons with disabilities, in need of service animals.
RECOMMANDATION
DU RAPPORT
RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT
Le
Comité consultatif sur les piétons et le transport en commun recommande au
Comité du transport
en commun de recommander à son tour au Conseil :
1. De
donner instruction au personnel de mettre en place un projet pilote de six mois
visant à admettre les petits animaux avec permis transportés dans des cages à
bord des véhicules de transport en commun,
en dehors des heures de pointe; et
2. De
réévaluer la politique d’OC Transpo sur la délivrance de cartes d’assistant aux
personnes handicapées ayant besoin d’un animal d’assistance.
BACKGROUND
Following
a presentation by the Responsible Dog Owners of
Canada at its 17 July 2008 meeting,
the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee approved the aforementioned
recommendations.
This
matter was discussed previously at the table of the then-Transit Services
Committee in March 1999. Following a
lengthy discussion and several delegations, the following motion was carried on
a 5-2 vote:
That the Transit Services Committee recommend the Commission make no change in the current by-law which restricts animals on buses to seeing eye and hearing ear dogs.
Subsequently, the OC
Transpo Commission approved the Transit Committee recommendation on 28 April 1999.
DISCUSSION
The Responsible Dog Owners of
Canada (RDOC) advised that several years’ worth of
research had been done to establish the need for a pets on public transit policy in Ottawa. The RDOC claims that many cities, including
Gatineau, already have such a policy and, with the exception of Calgary
and Toronto, which allow larger and uncrated animals, most of the 25 Canadian
cities listed allow small, fur-bearing animals or birds in carriers, on-board
during off-peak hours.
OC Transpo does not permit
animals on buses, except for guide dogs and certified assistance animals. RDOC further stated that OC Transpo is
governed under superceeding laws (Canadian Transportation Act,
and the City of Ottawa Transit By-Law, No. 2007-268) that in effect exempt it
from the Ontario
Accessibility for Ontarioans
with Disabilities Act (AODA).
CONSULTATION
Planning, Transit and the Environment – Transit Services
There
have recently been enquiries about allowing animals on board OC Transpo
vehicles, including dogs – and other pets – in pet crates or cages.
Recognizing these requests and recommendations put forward by PTAC, it is the position of Transit Services that a well-articulated policy must be developed to balance the various interests of those directly affected, including transit operators and the fast-increasing number of transit users in the City of Ottawa, who make nearly 100 million trips a year on the transit system.
In developing a balanced policy, it is important to identify and carefully consider the consequences of allowing pets on transit in the full context of transit service: how it will affect priority seating, the safety of passengers, the safety of operators and their responsibilities, the overall quality of service and customer satisfaction with the City’s transit system. Furthermore, and as with other significant policy changes, a consultation process with those affected – in this case our customer base and employees – would be important. Given the varied opinions on this important topic, making a decision without thoughtful debate and research is not recommended.
APPLICATION OF THE CURRENT BY-LAW
The Transit By-Law 2007-268 states that no person
shall bring any animal onto the transit system, not even a service animal,
unless the person has an Assistant Card for the animal. On what an Assistant
Card may be, the By-Law is alternately very specific and very general. The
assistant card may be “a serially numbered card, issued [...] to a person with
a disability [and] who requires the assistance of a service animal,” such card
identifying both the person and the animal by way of photographs, or “an
identification card issued pursuant to […] the Blind Persons’ Rights Act.” On
the other hand, “any such other form of identification as authorized by the
Director” of Transit Services may also constitute an assistant card, without
mention as to the identification of whom (a person with or without a disability?)
or of what (a service animal or any animal?).
The current By-Law goes to some length explicitly defining what a person with a disability is, what a service animal is and how an assistant card may relate to both. In Transit Services’ understanding of the By-Law, the intent of Council was not to delegate authority to the Director such that he could easily issue assistant cards to persons other than persons with disabilities, or allow animals onto the transit system other than service animals (defined as having been trained for the purpose of being service animals by a recognized school or organization).
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
This application of the Transit By-Law is guided by a number of practical considerations, which are discussed below.
Priority Seating Capacity
The Transit By-Law currently provides for the following categories of transit riders to be entitled to priority seating on a front bench seat: “a person with a disability, an expectant mother, a person with a visible need for priority seating, a person with a child in a carriage or stroller, a person with a Priority Seating Card or a person with an Assistant Card”. Along with the unprecedented levels of transit ridership in the City of Ottawa, there is increasing representation from each of the above categories on board transit vehicles. At present, there is no language in the By-Law about any entitlement having priority over another.
Broadening the definition of animals allowed on board and allowing those carried in crates or cages both presume additional pressure on seats in general and on priority seats in particular, as animal-carrying passengers would require access to seats for safety reasons. As a result, the number of occurrences of an entitled person not having a seat would likely increase, both during peak periods and in certain off-peak instances.
Safety Risks to Passengers
In spite of on-going efforts to provide a comfortable ride on board buses, the unprecedented levels of transit ridership in the City of Ottawa significantly reduce free space on certain buses, even in certain off-peak instances. This is exacerbated at times by the concurrent presence of combinations of wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, child carriages and strollers of various sizes. Such instances already present safety risks of their own for customers.
The presence of animals in crates or cages introduces additional safety risks under crowded conditions. There are risks to transit riders associated with the size of animal-carrying devices, the type of openings and the type of latches they feature, and with the unpredictable behaviour of the animal in a crowd.
In the case of Para Transpo operations, the presence of animals in crates or cages also increases the risk of hazards for a vulnerable clientele, in cases of normal operation or evacuation. Animals are not permitted in taxi vehicles, which provide an increasing volume of service for Para Transpo customers.
Responsibilities of and Risks to Transit Operators
The presence of animal-carrying passengers would put additional pressure on the management of priority seating and space entitlements by transit operators. Operators are trained to give primacy to passengers’ safety, through their own driving skills and by overseeing customer behaviours. Identifying which needs take precedence over which others should not be left to operators’ discretion but should instead be addressed, should it be Council’s direction, through careful consideration in the development of a policy dealing with special needs, including those of animal-carrying passengers.
Transit Services would need to work with its employees in advance of developing any new policy dealing with potential issues relating to animals on transit. As some transit employees are known to have severe allergic reactions to animal dander, it is expected that Transit Services will face challenges to accommodate employees on a more frequent basis for them to avoid potential exposure with animals. It is also likely that Transit Services will be required to authorize at-risk employees to deny access to a customer to prevent exposure or run the risk of a work refusal under the Canada Labour Code.
Impact on Service Quality
Identifying the best way to address special needs is a challenge being investigated by a number of transit organizations in Canada. One way of doing so is by increasing the number of priority seats on board transit vehicles, however this approach also poses a challenge to maintaining service quality. For instance, an extended priority seating area may require passengers with reduced mobility to walk further down the bus to sit, requiring the operator to wait longer before departing a stop, which ultimately leads to slower travel times. Designing a section of the bus to accommodate mobility devices such as strollers and carriages may improve the flow of traffic through the bus – and passenger safety – but this would need to be accomplished at the expense of total seat availability.
Furthermore, following reductions in cleaning standards as a result of productivity measures put in place in 2004, customers have perceived a deterioration in the general hygiene of the transit system, in spite of a significant investment in new buses. The presence of animals as a new source of debris would further impact the overall cleanliness of the transit vehicles given the reduced cleaning frequency currently in effect.
Finally, contrary to most urban transit systems, Transit Services do not regulate consumption of food on buses. Consequently, an untrained animal, albeit in a crate or cage, risks being a source of irritant for other customers who may have open food in proximity of the animal.
In the absence of a well-articulated policy on special needs, it is left to the transit operator’s discretion to find ways to resolve conflicts that might arise from limited seating capacity or space constraints. This could cause service delays.
Impact on Customer Satisfaction
A key objective of the Transit Services Branch is to develop a culture of service excellence for the fast-increasing number of transit users in the City of Ottawa, who together make nearly 100 million trips a year on the transit system. A key tenet of service excellence is a commitment to listening carefully and openly to citizens and recommending services to Council based on their known and anticipated needs, expectations and degree of satisfaction.
As
with any policy change that has a direct impact on individual customers and
city staff, it is recommended that the public and staff have the opportunity to
fully engage in the development of a well-articulated policy. Key considerations should be explored and
understood in the development of this new policy as they relate to health
issues, certain types of zoophobia, culturally based biases, views on certain
types of animals, unforeseeable animal disruptions and behaviours, etc. To
date, there has been a sizeable influx of comments regarding the above issues
to Transit Services Customer Service Centre from the general public,
overwhelmingly opposed to allowing animals on board (number and content of
comments to be tabled at the Committee meeting).
Overall, customer
satisfaction and the quality of the customer transit experience must remain as
a top priority and an overriding concern when considering a change in policy.
THE NEED FOR A WELL-ARTICULATED POLICY
The issue of whether or
not to allow animals on the transit system should be addressed holistically
through the development of a well-articulated policy that balances the various
interests of transit employees and all transit users in the City of Ottawa.
Given the varied opinions on this important topic, making a decision without
thoughtful debate and research is not recommended.
Such a policy should address practical questions such as:
· Who has seating priority over whom when there is no priority seat left?
· Are certain categories of transit users only allowed on board at certain times of day? Only in certain circumstances (volume of passengers already on board, number of entitled passengers already on board, number of mobility devices already on board, number of animals already on board)? How are discriminatory practices to be avoided?
· What are the criteria for establishing that a particular situation relating to mobility devices, animal crates or cages, strollers, packages or luggage on board a transit vehicle presents a safety risk and requires for certain entitlements or permissions to be suspended?
· What are the alternatives for affected customers?
It is Transit Services’ position that any change of policy therefore requires direction from Council for staff to revise the By-Law and propose a comprehensive set of regulations to account for such change.
By-Law and Regulatory
Services
By-law and
Regulatory Services Branch supports the concept of permitting appropriately
contained and/or controlled pets on public transit,
which would be in accordance with its
animal care and control mandate and approach in that regard generally. It is not necessary to include in the report
recommendation the reference to "licensed" pets as the City only
'licenses' cats and dogs – it is in fact referred
to in the Animal Care and Control By-law 2003-77 as 'registration'. By-law & Regulatory Services will
address any issues of cat/dog registration accordingly, as it is recognized
that OC Transpo drivers would not be in a position to do so. Based on the foregoing, it is suggested that
Recommendation 1 be amended
to read:
Direct staff to implement a six-month
pilot project to allow small pets in crates/carriers on public transit, during
off-peak hours, and
Further,
although it is understood
that OC Transpo is regulated federally, it
would seem reasonable and appropriate that personal assistance or service
animals covered under the Accessibility
for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
be permitted access to
public transit provided that they are appropriately contained and/or controlled which,
in By-law and Regulatory Services’
experience, is largely the case.
In
relation to service animals specifically, perhaps worth noting is
that, as part of its consideration
of the harmonized Animal Care and Control By-law on October 9, 2002, Council
approved the following resolution: "Whereas service
animals should have access to City parks and other City facilities when
accompanied by their handlers;
Therefore be it
resolved that [the
proposed by-law] be amended to provide for an exemption for service animals
with respect to restrictions in parks; and That
service animals be permitted in all City facilities when accompanied by their
handler." Permitting service
animals on public transit would perhaps reflect
what seems to be the
spirit and general intent of that resolution.
In addition, we do not believe that there would be a significant number of pets and service animals accessing public transit.
Employee
Services
The Amalgamated Transit Union,
Local 279 have expressed that allergens are a health concern for their drivers.
Ottawa Public Health
Ottawa Public Health (OPH)
appreciates the opportunity to comment on this proposal. Our comments are
restricted to the implications for human health and do not deal with other
issues arising from this proposal (e.g. fear of animals, additional maintenance
costs, reduced ridership if people avoid transit, legal implications of
superceding laws that exempt it from the Ontario Accessibility for Ontarians
with Disabilities Act; etc)
In assessing this proposal
Ottawa Public Health has considered available epidemiological data, as well as
the experiences of other Canadian
cities, and is cogniscent of the fact that this proposal is for a pilot study,
thereby permiting amendments or cancellation of the direction if significant
health issues are identified or related issues remain unresolved at the end of
the pilot phase. Further, we note that the proposal is that pets be crated -
this would reduce the amount of allergens (dander, pet hair and saliva) in open
spaces on the bus, provided that the crate's structural integrity is robust and
the animal cannot escape.We have made contact with the Vancouver and Toronto
transit and public health authorities and received no negative feedback from
these cities.
Public Health Concerns:
1. Rabies and biting incidents are not anticipated to be a significant concern, as pets will be confined in crates/carriers. All cats and dogs over 3 months of age or older must be vaccinated against the rabies virus in Ontario. Ottawa Public Health follows up on all animal-biting incidents to ensure that pets have been vaccinated and do not have rabies.
2. Pet feces and urine would be confined to crates/carriers and are not likely to pose a public health threat.
3. Allergens remain a public health concern, ranging from being a relatively minor inconvenience to a life-threatening issue. It will be important to monitor this problem during a pilot phase, and ensure consultation of the public and interested parties at the end of the pilot. (E.g with groups such as the Environmental Health Association of Ontario - Ottawa Branch).
From a Public Health risk perspective the following questions should be addressed prior to or during any pilot phase of a new policy:
1. Is there a procedure in place for all animal/human-biting incidents to be reported to OPH?
2. Are complaints being made by the ridership regarding serious allergic reactions or allergy-triggered asthma events due to exposure to pets on the transit system?
3. Is transit staff able to ensure pets not in carriers are restricted from entering the transit system and removed if the owners breach the safety precautions set out to prevent pet escape from their carriers?
OPH staff would be available to assist in developing
a protocol if requested. The following
points are suggestions we consider important to protocol development:
a. Written information is available for transit
staff and the public about the requirements for containment; the size of pets;
the hours they would be able to access the transit system; and the
discretionary powers of drivers to refuse access to pets and request removal of
pets already on the transit system.
b. The crate/carrier design must ensure
pets cannot escape.
c. Members of the Environmental Health
Association of Ottawa should be involved and requested to provide feedback on
the success of the carriers at limiting allergy symptoms among allergy suffers
and asthmatics.
d. Members
of the Responsible Dog Owners of Canada should be involved and requested to
provide feedback on their experiences with the community on the buses.
e. Animal bites must be reported to OPH.
In summary, Ottawa Public
Health has reviewed the relevant public health issues related to the proposed
policy to permit small, licensed pets in crates/carriers on public transit,
during off-peak hours. We do not have
any objections to a pilot project going ahead on a time limited basis. In 1999,
then Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Cushman, expressed concerns that people who
have asthma, triggered by allergies to pet dander, could experience a range of
adverse health effects. These concerns
remain relevant today, but the proposal currently under consideration has
addressed the issues and the provisions proposed (i.e. permit only small,
licensed pets in crates/carriers during off-peak hours) can reasonably be
expected to result in adequate mitigation of risk of harm to the general
public. The evidence from other
municipalities suggests that allergy concerns can be successfully
addressed.
Accessibility Advisory Committee
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Financial Services Unit
A relatively small marketing campaign around this
pilot project will be forthcoming, and will be absorbed within existing
approved budget funds.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 1 – Pets on Public
Transit, a Pilot Project: Presentation
Document
2 – Other Municipal and Modal Examples
DISPOSITION
The Planning, Transit, and the Environment
department will carry out the directives of Committee and Council.
PETS ON PUBLIC TRANSIT A PILOT PROJECT Responsible Dog Owners of Canada April
2008
DOCUMENT 1
PETS ON PUBLIC TRANSIT
A PILOT PROJECT
Introduction
In late September 2007,
Responsible Dog Owners of Canada (formerly National Capital Coalition for
People and Dogs) launched a petition regarding the issue of pets on public
transit. In approximately two months,
it collected 2052 signatures in support of a “Pets on Public Transit Policy”
for Ottawa.
Numerous Canadian cities, including Toronto,
Vancouver, Montréal, Québec City, Gatineau, Victoria, Kelowna, Port Alberni,
Prince Rupert, Vernon, Whistler, Comox Valley, Abbotsford, Maple Ridge,
Edmonton, Lethbridge, Brandon, Calgary, Winnipeg, Niagara Falls, Hamilton,
North Bay, Halifax and St. John's, have an established pets on public transit
policy in place and have reported very few problems.
In researching the need for and feasibility of pets
on public transit in Ottawa, some questions raised and answered are as
follows:
Who
will this policy benefit?
A pets on public transit policy
will assist a number people, including persons who require the support of small service animals that currently cannot
be certified because of a lack of standards for such training, people who
volunteer with their certified therapy animals to visit the elderly and infirm
in hospitals, nursing facilities and retirement homes, seniors, people with
disabilities and those on limited incomes, who are most in need of affordable
transportation to get their companion animals to veterinary appointments,
training classes, etc.
According to the City of Ottawa 2006 Health Status
Report, community services and support are in place for
the almost 100,000 senior citizens in Ottawa. While many senior citizens in
Ottawa are coping well as they age, there are 28.1% of seniors aged 65 and
older who live alone and there are as many as 10% of seniors in Ottawa who may
be socially isolated with little real connection to the outside world.
According to the 2001 Census, 113,835 people in
private households in Ottawa were living in low income situations. This
represents 15% of the population living in private households. For people who
are 15 years of age and over and who do not live with a family, this increases
to 32% or 36,330 people2.
In 2001, the population of
disabled people in Ottawa was 36,675 citizens and an additional 6585 disabled
people can be added to that number by 2001.
More than half of Ottawa’s disabled citizens live on less than $15,000 a
year, below the poverty line and about 21% live on less than $9,600 a year.3
Evidence
illustrates that pets are invaluable to the health and wellbeing of humans and
that many seniors, disabled people and other socially isolated people rely on
pets for companionship, security and a sense of purpose. For people with
physical and/or psychological challenges, assistance animals, certified or
uncertified, provide both physical and psychological assistance and support,
see The Healthy Pleasure of Their Company:
Companion Animals and Human Health; The Role of Pets in the Social Networks of
Children, Adolescents and Elderly People; Pets make hospital rounds, bring
'therapeutic touch' to patients, Seattle Post Intelligencer and Reasonable
accommodation or nuisance? Service animals for the disabled, Elizabeth Brandon,
attached.
What would the policy consist of?
Responsible
Dog Owners of Canada recommends policy based on other successful models that
would allow small pets in crates or carriers, which can easily rest on the
owners lap or fit under the seat, to travel on Ottawa’s OC Transpo buses during
off peak hours and Para Transpo vehicles at all times.
What about allergies?
According
to our research, the transfer of pet dander from pets in crates/carriers is
minimal and that more pet dander is transferred from pet owners’ clothes using
the transit system daily than what would be transferred from a pet in a
carrier. A comprehensive report is attached.
What about diseases
(Zoonoses)?
The chances of contracting a zoonotic disease from
a pet are slim. With the majority of
zoonoses indigenous to this area, human infection would require very close
contact with animals or their excretions.
Some of the common (but rarely transmitted between
species) zoonoses include:
Salmonellosis:
A bacteria that generally makes its way into human
bodies through contaminated food but can be passed through contact with animal
feces.
Roundworms: Roundworm eggs and microscopic adult worms are usually excreted
in the feces of dogs and cats infected by the worms. Direct contact with the faecal matter is the mode of infection.
Cat Scratch Fever:
This bacteria is normally transmitted from cats to humans through
scratches.
Strep
Throat: Studies indicate that pets are probably not
the culprit in spreading and that it is more likely that humans infect
pets. However, the possibility of
animal/human transmission does exist with direct contact, e.g. kissing, licking
or exchanging food by mouth with pets.
Ringworm: A fungal infection of the skin, hair or nails, humans can be
infected through use of contaminated objects like hair brushes, towels or
clothing or by direct contact with infected animals like cats, dogs, mice, rats
and guinea pigs.
Scabies: Also called sarcoptic mange, scabies is a skin disease caused by
itch mites which burrow under the skin. Scabies cause intense itching and
scratching that can result in severe eczema. Humans can be infected through
direct contact with infected animals.
Giardia: A parasite
that infects the intestines of humans and animals, it is usually a water-borne
disease transmitted by drinking surface water from sources such as streams,
rivers, lakes or shallow wells that are contaminated by human or animal feces,
swallowing contaminated water while swimming in lakes, ponds, streams, rivers,
swimming pools and hot tubs or eating contaminated food..
Leptospirosis: A bacteria that affects humans and animals, it
is spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or
soil and can survive there for weeks to months. Humans and animals can become
infected through contact with this contaminated urine (or other body fluids,
except saliva), water, or soil. The bacteria can enter the body through skin or
mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if the skin is broken from
a cut or scratch. Drinking contaminated water can also cause infection.
Rabies: A viral
infection that is spread through the saliva of an infected animal. Transfer of the virus most often occurs
through a bite from an infected animal.
In 2000 and 2003, two people in Canada died of rabies infection, one in
Quebec (2000) and one in British Columbia (2003). These were the first cases of
human rabies in Canada since 1985. The most likely sources of infection for
both of these people were unrecognized bat exposures. Since 1924, there have
been a total of 6 deaths from rabies in the Province of Ontario.
Zoophobia:Zoophobia is defined in medical
terms as an abnormal and persistent fear of animals. Zoophobia may have one of two closely-related meanings: a generic
term for the class of specific phobias
to particular animals, an irrational fear or even simply dislike of any
non-human animals.
Zoophobia should not be confused with sensible fear
of dangerous or threatening animals such as the fear of venomous snakes, etc.
And, while it is recognized that some people have a valid reason to fear an
animal like a dog, cat or other domesticated animal perhaps because of an
unfortunate experience, small pets in crates are securely contained and should
not pose any threat or discomfort.
Will
the presence of crated animals provoke disruptive reactions from guide dogs and
other certified assistance animals?
Guide dogs and assistance animals
are especially trained to provide aid to humans who are blind or who have
specific disabilities such as hearing loss, mobility deficiencies, epilepsy or
psychiatric conditions, etc. Guide dogs
and assistance dogs must be intelligent, alert, and willing to serve and must
be able to remain undistracted by other animals such as squirrels, cats or
other dogs. Dogs that do not meet these
standards are rejected as unsuitable as a working dog. Therefore, while not impossible, it is
highly unlikely that a guide dog or other certified assistance animal will
react in a disruptive manner to the presence of a small, crated animal that in
most instances would go unnoticed by other transit riders, both human and
animal.
Although it is more likely that a pet would react
to the presence of another animal, the fact that in accordance with the policy
proposed pets are crated and secure, a disruptive reaction is improbable.
Would the policy
result in an animal invasion of the transit system or inconvenience other
passengers?
As mentioned previously, this policy will benefit a
limited number of people who do not have access to a vehicle and who have small
animals. A small pet carrier on an owner’s lap will not take up any additional
space. Nor would there be any concerns about bites, disease or pet waste.
Therefore, this policy would not constitute an invasion of the transit system
or create an inconvenience for other passengers.
Implementation of
pets on public transit
The Responsible Dog Owners of Canada recommends
that a "pets on public transit policy", allowing small pets in
crates/carriers on public transit during off peak hours, be introduced as a
six-month pilot project. It also
recommends that eligible animals be licensed
in accordance with the City of Ottawa Licensing By-law and that bus drivers be
given the discretion to refuse boarding to anyone with a crate that is exceeds
size restrictions, e.g. larger than can be carried and stored easily or a crate
or carrier that appears insecure.
There
are a number of practical models across Canada that would be viable in Ottawa
and Responsible Dog Owners of Canada would be pleased to offer its assistance
in drafting a policy for Ottawa residents.
If the
pilot project indicates that pets on public transit are not problematic, we
recommend that a policy be implemented on a permanent basis.
Bibliography
1)
: Health Detriments, www.ottawa.ca/residents/health/publications/hsr/health_determinants_en.html#P43_6209
;
www.ottawa.ca/residents/health/publications/hsr/health_determinants_en.html#P5_708
humanrights.suite101.com/article.cfm/a_closer_look_at_para_transpo
i)
The Healthy Pleasure of Their
Company: Companion Animals and Human Health, Karen Allen, School of Medicine,
State University of New York Source, Delta Society;
ii)
The Role of Pets in
the Social Networks of Children, Adolescents and Elderly People, June
McNicholas, Department of Psychology, University of Warwick, UK, Delta Society;
iii)
Pets make hospital
rounds, bring 'therapeutic touch' to patients, Susan Phinney, Seattle Post
Intelligencer;
Reasonable accommodation or nuisance? Service animals for the disabled, Elizabeth Brandon, Florida Bar Journal
Allergies and Pets on Public Transit:
A Non-Issue
People with allergies and pets on public
transportation raise valid a concern of possible incompatibility. However, the
incidence of a person with pet dander allergies crossing paths with a pet on an
OC Transpo bus would be low. Furthermore, if certain steps are taken to
alleviate or eliminate the cause for concern, it is possible for a pet and a
person with a dander allergy to temporarily co-exist aboard public transit. As
over 18 other major city centres in Canada including Toronto and Vancouver
continue to demonstrate, serving a population of people with allergies and
people who wish to travel with pets on public transportation is quite
compatible.
Low Incidence
It is important to note that due
to a minority allergic population and a minority of people who would use public
transit to transport their pets, the incidence of people with allergies and a
pet on public transit would be low.
Of the general population, 15% is allergic
specifically to dogs or cats1. While 20-25% of the Canadian
population suffers from allergic rhinitis, according to the Allergy/Asthma
Information Association in Canada2, not everyone in that category is
allergic to pets.
30% of Ottawa residents ride OC Transpo on typical
weekday: 346,800 people3 (out of Ottawa’s 1,148,800 residents).
There are no confirmed statistics as to how many people would take their pets
on OC Transpo. However, approximately 54% of all households own at least one
pet. Therefore, although approximately half of the OC Transpo ridership might
potentially take their pet aboard OC Transpo, it is obviously highly unlikely.
Most pet owners have a vehicle in which to transport their furry companion. The
people who would most benefit from a ‘pets on public transit policy’ would
include those who are unable to own or drive their own vehicle, including the
disabled and elderly.
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is when a
person’s immune system overreacts to particles (called allergens) in the air
that they breathe and cause them to have an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions
include sneezing and a runny nose, water and itchy eyes, nose and throat4.
Types of allergens that cause allergic rhinitis include pollens, mould, dust
mites, animal dander, and cockroaches.
A more severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis.
However, this type of reaction occurs in people with food allergies, allergies
to medications or reactions to vaccines, and bee stings. If a person has a
severe allergy to a certain substance that causes the blood vessels to leak
fluid into the area around them, a sudden drop in blood pressure will result in
restricted blood flow and less oxygen to the brain. The body goes into shock
and may respond to the allergen by releasing histamines, which cause swelling
of the skin, a red rash, and severe itching. They may also experience trouble
breathing, including wheezing, trouble swallowing, tightness in the throat, or
chest, swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or another part of the body, and
red, watery eyes.
According the Health Canada:
Severe allergic
reactions (e.g. anaphylactic shock) occur when the body's immune system reacts
to a particular allergen or irritant. These reactions can be triggered by
certain foods or food ingredients, insect stings and medications.
The most common food
products that cause reactions are peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, soy, fish, wheat,
eggs, milk and seafood. Foods account for most of the cases in children, while
drugs and antibiotics like penicillin are more likely to cause a reaction in
adults. Stings from yellow jackets, hornets, wasps and bees are the most common
cause of insect reactions. Some individuals also experience severe allergic
reactions to natural latex rubber5.
Health Canada does not mention pet dander as a
potential allergen that triggers anaphylaxis.
It must be noted that while pet dander may cause an
allergic reaction in the people with allergies to pets, the reactions, while
annoying and uncomfortable, are not life-threatening.
Additionally, and importantly,
there are steps that can be taken to ensure that on the chance a pet and a
person with an allergy to pet dander happen to be riding the same bus at the
same time, the person with allergies will experience zero to minimal symptoms.
Guidelines to alleviate or eliminate allergy
symptoms if a pet and a person with allergies were to ride the same bus
A person with allergic rhinitis
who is allergic to pets is not allergic to the pet hair or fur. It is actually
the pet’s saliva, urine, or dander that will trigger an allergic reaction.
While saliva and urine are somewhat avoidable, dander is invisible to the naked
eye and clings to the pets’ fur, and to carpeting and furniture.
If a pet were allowed to ride on OC Transpo, there
have been assertions that the animal would drool over other riders, urinate or
defecate en route, and leave hair and dander on the seats and in the air. While
pet owners know that a trained dog is highly unlikely to have an accident while
traveling on the bus, this is not the place to carry on such an argument. Nor
can one argue that a dog or cat freely riding the bus would not release pet
dander into the air.
If the pet were contained within a crate, drooling
and accidents would become a non-issue. If they happened, it would be contained
within the crate and would not inconvenience any fellow passengers.
Furthermore, pet dander being released into the air would be significantly
reduced.
If
the pet were contained in a fully covered pet carrier, the incidence of pet
dander being released into the air would be nearly non-existent. The fully
covered pet carrier would contain the pet and its pet dander. People who suffer
from allergies should not even be able to detect the fact they are traveling a
bus with a pet.
Should these responsible guidelines be implemented
simultaneously with the implementation of a ‘Pets on Public Transit’ policy,
there would remain no reason to have concern over pets on public transportation
and riders with pet allergies.
A Sample of Cities with Successful ‘Pets on Public
Transit’ Policies
Many major cities in Canada continue
to demonstrate that serving a population of people with allergies and people
who wish to travel with pets on public transportation can actually be quite
compatible. Cities that currently have a successful ‘Pets on Public Transit’
policy in place include: Hull/Gatineau, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler,
Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert, Sunshine Coast, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton,
Lethbridge, Regina, Winnipeg, Montreal, Halifax and St. John’s.
Toronto (population of 2,481,500)
In Toronto, you may travel on
subway, bus and streetcar with your large or small dog either leashed or in a
traveling crate. Peak travel periods are off limits, but other than that your
dog is welcome aboard. Toronto Transit has had this by-law, last re-written in
1990, in place for quite some time now. According to Toronto Transit Systems
Security, there have never been any major problems and neither have too many
dogs infiltrated Toronto’s transit system.
“…although we have received complaints in
regards to (pets on public transit), they represent only a minority of the
complaints received by the Toronto Transit Commission in relation to animal
acceptance onboard our vehicles or station”
Dan Micner, Senior Customer Service representative,
TTC*
Mr. Micner also stated in a phone conversation that
when he receives complaints with regard to pets and transit, they are commonly
questions of why pet wasn’t allowed on the transit system at a certain time of
day. No pets are allowed the TTC between the hours of 6:30-9:30 a.m. and 3:30-6:30
p.m.. These rules are strictly enforced on the subway but bus and streetcar
drivers have been known to be lenient with these time constraints if their bus
or streetcar is not a busy one. The driver always
reserves the right to refuse to allow a pet to board the bus if it is felt the
animal is not under control or a threat to other riders.
The fact that Toronto welcomes both large and small
dogs aboard their buses merits recognition here. This is the largest city in
Canada and yet its by-laws have allowed any dog, as long it is under control of
its owner, to travel on Toronto’s subways, buses, and streetcars. Judy Shulga, System Security Coordinator for the
TTC, also noted that in her 28 years of experience she has never heard of any
major problems. As far as she is concerned, Toronto’s ‘Pets on Public Transit’
policy works well.
Vancouver (population of 600,000 within a
region of more than 2,000,000 people)
In Vancouver, small pets,
including dogs, may be permitted on transit vehicles provided they are in
handheld cages. After a probation period in 2001, the TransLink Board of
Directors approved the motion to permanently allow small pets in carriers onto
Vancouver’s public transportation. There have been no problems with dogs riding
Vancouver busses.
“(Pets on Public
Transit) programs have very specific guidelines, have been in place for a few
years and run smoothly.”
Steve New, Senior Vice President, Municipal Systems
Program, BC Transit*
“…we have not had
any difficulties. Coast Mountain (subsidiary of BC Transit) did ask the advice
of allergy specialists and dermatologists and their suggestions were
implemented and we have not had a problem.”
Customer Relations, Coast Mountain Bus Company*
Winnipeg (population of 633,451)
“Winnipeg Transit currently has a policy that to
have an animal on the bus it is mandatory that it is in an enclosed carrier,
with the exception of working dogs. To date we have not received any complaints
regarding the transport of animals on the bus while in an enclosed carrier.”
Dierdre Schultz, Customer Service Representative,
Winnipeg Transit*
Calgary (population of 988,193)
Calgary welcomes both large and small dogs on its
buses for an extra fee of $2.25, while cats in kennels are free of charge.
“We have not had any reports of such types of dogs
causing problems on our system… Occasionally we come across passengers who
bring a dog on the train and did not know that the dog was required to pay
fare. That is the extent of the concerns raised.”
Tina Mercier, A/Ops. Supervisor, Protective Services Section,
Calgary Transit VP166
Other cities to note include
Edmonton, which allows small to medium pets on their transit system as long as
they are fully enclosed in a secure cage. Regina’s by-laws stipulate that small
pets are only allowed on if they are in a cage that is fully covered so no one
can see inside. Montreal, Halifax and St. John’s all require that pets be in
some sort of carrier in order to be welcomed aboard.
1)
Pet
Education.com (http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1278&articleid=145),
accessed October 4, 2007.
2)
Allergy/Asthma
Information Association. Dust, Pet and
Mold Allergies: (http://aaia.ca/en/dust_brochure_en.pdf),
accessed October 2, 2007.
3)
OC Transpo
website and Ottawa Kiosk: (http://www.octranspo.com/about_index.asp?lang=E&page=AABOUT_MAIN;
http://www.ottawakiosk.com/people.html),
accessed October 4, 2007.
4)
BC Health
Guide. Allergic Rhinitis (http://www.bchealthguide.org/kbase/topic/special/hw33436/sec1.htm),
accessed October 2, 2007.
5)
Health
Canada. Severe Allergic Reactions (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/med/allerg_e.html),
accessed October 4, 2007.
6)
http://www.cuhumane.org/topics/allergy.html