A 54-year-old man who lives near an off-leash dog park in Dartmouth, which has drawn the ire of neighbours because of barking dogs, has been charged for setting off fireworks in the park Tuesday.
The fireworks went off at about 1 p.m. in Shubie Park. An officer was in the park for an unrelated matter when it happened and recognized the man, whose name has not been released.
READ MORE: Municipal sign in Dartmouth park tells visitors to control dogs’ barking
The man was charged with “Engaging in activity that unreasonably disturbs a neighborhood.” If convicted, he could face a $467.50 fine.
“This does appear to be an ongoing issue,” Halifax Regional Police spokesperson Const. Dianne Woodworth said in an email, referencing fireworks being set off in or near the park.
Woodworth said that the man is not believed to have been charged for this before.
According to members of Facebook group Shubie Park Off Leash Area, this type of activity has happened a number of times recently, specifically with the aim to scare away dogs.
The park previously made headlines because of a sign installed by the municipal government, telling users to control their dogs’ barking so that it doesn’t disturb neighbours and park users.
“It’s become intolerable,” Katherine Mills, who owns a dog and lives across the water from the park, said at the time.