Halifax dog owners say salty sidewalks injuring dogs' paws

Some dog owners in Halifax say there's too much salt on city sidewalks this winter and it's hurting their pets' paws.

Sarah Warford owns and operates DogRunnin, a pet exercise service. She often takes dogs running at the Ashburn Golf Club and said the fairways are much easier on the animals' paws than the sidewalks this winter.

"We've seen a lot of chapped paws and cut paws, cracked paws, which is incredibly hard on the dogs," she said.

"It's hard for them to walk, but even to the point of bleeding and injury."

Pet store operators report paw wax and dog booties two options that make it easier dogs to handle the salt on sidewalks are popular this season.

Tristan Flynn, a dog trainer, said at the very least, owners should try to wipe off the salt.

"Just the fact that their paws are not protected, so just like us if we were to walk down a salty sidewalk with barefeet," he said.

"I think we probably all would want to wipe our feet off when we come inside. So I think it's the same for dogs."

Tiffany Chase, a spokeswoman for the Halifax Regional Municipality, said sidewalks typically need more salt than roads.

"This year, so far, we've had one complaint from a resident about the amount of salt on the sidewalks," she said Monday.

"We just have to bear in mind that when we have snow and ice events that we will be out there putting out salt and sand and some of that liquid brine to keep things safe for pedestrians."

Chase said the city's salting regimen hasn't changed and pet owners may be noticing the salt because of the recent cold snap.