Petition calls for famous Victoria dog to be allowed outside unleashed

Every dog has his day and Thursday was Cody's.

A petition supporting the popular golden retriever, banished from his spot on the sidewalk in front of his owner's business in Victoria, has been delivered to city council.

For the past 13 years, Cody has spent his days lying in front of Charmaine's Past and Present, aFort Street antique shop.

But last month, CharmaineBritton received a warning from animal control officers for a violation of Victoria's leash bylaw for the second time in as many weeks.

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Ryan Painter heard about the situation and started a petition, which now has over 2,100 signatures.

"He's a docile dog, he literally means no harm to anybody," Painter told All Points West host Robyn Burns. "He greets people as they come by and I've had the opportunity to engage with him on many occasions. He's a really, really friendly dog."

"What I found through the petition was many people, whether you were a Victorian or had visited from all over the world, you felt the same way about this decision: that it was heavy-handed, that it was wrong, and Cody should return to his place."

Painter went on to call Cody's presence a symbol of Victoria's "unique way of life" and of "the happy city we are."

"He is an ambassador to our city, and this [bylaw action] just does not reflect what we want to represent to the world," he said.

Painter's petition calls for Cody to receive a lifetime exemption to Victoria's leash law, which he says is justifiable because of his many years without complaints.

Until council approves or rejects an exemption for Cody to be outside, Britton will be keeping the dog inside the store while she works.

With files from CBC Radio One's All Points West

To hear the full story, click the audio labelled:Victoria petition unleashes frustration about dog leash order