Bylaw encounter at Car Free Day

Who doesn't like puppies? That's the question Dawn Slykhuis, owner of RVN Wellness yoga studio in Port Moody, is asking after a bylaw enforcement encounter during the city's Car Free Day on Aug. 16.

Slykhuis had paid the city $50 to set up a table in front of her studio, where she was handing out stickers to kids, electrolytes to adults, and offering passersby a chance to see rescue puppies playing inside. Six puppies were present, part of an ongoing partnership with Bark, Brews and Beyond to host rescue-puppy fundraisers that began last September. The puppies are usually 10 weeks old, and a recent class included a spiritual gong bath at the end, through which the puppies slept. Slykhuis says 100 percent of profits goes to the rescue organization.

According to Slykhuis, five or six people in uniform, a mix of police and bylaw officers, came by, peeking in the windows and asking who was in charge. She said a bylaw officer told her she was going to be fined, then raised concerns about puppy licensing, liability insurance, aggression, and sidewalk blockage. Slykhuis explained that puppies are put with 'air jail' if they misbehave.

The city later backed down on issuing a fine after learning her business license does not have a no-puppy clause, but it raised other concerns, suggesting that event organizers had complained she hadn't paid her fee.

The encounter prompted Slykhuis to file a freedom of information request with the City of Port Moody, seeking details about why her business and the visiting puppies drew the attention of bylaw officers.

City responds

In a statement, the City of Port Moody said that during the Car-Free Day event, bylaw officers needed to check applicable zoning and licensing bylaws to confirm whether the pet-related activities were permitted. The city said no tickets or warnings were issued to Slykhuis.

A follow-up visit was made by bylaws officials on Monday, Aug. 17, to confirm that the pet-related activities were permitted under applicable zoning and licensing bylaws and that no ticket would be issued, according to the city's statement.

The city also confirmed that it does not allow fitness classes in city parks if they are similar to what the city itself offers — a restriction Slykhuis says she regularly tries to teach yoga in city parks, but that permit is denied due to a conflict of interest.

Fundraiser impact

Lauren Ebel, event coordinator at Bark, Breeds, and Beyond, said that the fundraisers have raised thousands of dollars and provided important opportunities for puppies to socialize. At Car-Free Day, Slykhuis shared information about the rescue organization and its adoption events.

Slykhuis said she has no intention of stopping the rescue-puppy yoga sessions. She says she speaks out regularly about city ordinances she believes are unfair to small businesses, such as the permit restriction on teaching yoga in parks.

The encounter has left Slykhuis questioning the city's support for small businesses and looking for answers from the city.