Fears circulating on social media about an outbreak of parvovirus killing dogs related to Wiggly Field, Yorkton’s off-leash dog park, are unfounded according to the City of Yorkton.
Lisa Washington, the City’s community development manager said she spoke with veterinarians in the area and has no concerns about the park.
Parvo, in fact, is everywhere—in parks, on city streets, in people’s yards, wherever dogs may have been—and can affect all canine species, including wolves, coyotes, foxes and, of course, domestic dogs. The most susceptible breeds include Rottweilers, Dobermans, Labs and German shepherds, particularly puppies and unvaccinated individuals. That is why experts highly recommend parvo immunization for all pets.
There were, apparently, a couple of recent local cases resulting in euthanization, but there is no evidence the disease was contracted at Wriggly Field.
The dog park does have rules to help prevent the spread of diseases including: no unvaccinated dogs, no puppies under the age of six months and a requirement that people remove their animals’ feces.
Not everyone does, something everyone involved would like to see change.
“I’d really like to see more people picking up after their dogs,” Washington said.
Nevertheless, the park remains open and owners of properly immunized animals should not have anything to worry about, although all users of the park do so at their own risk.
