Obviously, someone, or we wouldn’t be subjected to this nauseatingly ad nauseam debate about cat control and animal control in general, as we were last week with the city’s proposed new animal control bylaw. But the city’s proposed bylaw — subtitled Responsible Pet Ownership instead of the earlier, ironically titled Respecting Animals — isn’t the only act of animal animus the city has committed lately.

It’s also hounding Wendy Gillespie, owner of Pampered Paws Inn, a popular pet-friendly bed and breakfast and dog day care in Hammonds Plains. City staff say Pampered Paws is in an area not zoned for a dog day care.

According to a story in The Chronicle Herald, the area already has other commercial properties, such as an RV park, a heavy equipment operator and a golf course. So why is the city harassing her?

She has until mid-July to get the zoning changed (a time-consuming, laborious process) or acquire more land (an unnecessary expense for a small business).

And consider the city’s recent crackdown on the Commons and other green spaces. Yes, we know that we’re not allowed to have dogs on the Commons after a certain time. Or are we? Signage is confusing and contradictory at best.

Where else are people in downtown or central Halifax supposed to take their pooches for a nice leg stretch if they don’t have a car?

It’s enough to make us doggy dads and moms feel like fugitives in our own city.

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