Signs advising dog owners that their pets offend Muslims did NOT originate from the City (the signs were not authorized to use the City's logo).
In September of 2017, paper signs were placed in City parks that read:
“Please be courteous to your Muslim neighbours. Many Muslims live in this area and dogs are considered filthy in Islam. Please keep your dogs on a leash and away from the Muslims who live in this community.”
A photo of one of these notices quickly made its way online amongst social media users. As with most social media, once an article or image is uploaded, it's near impossible to remove. Due to this, these posts resurface periodically. The City reports these posts, each time the resurface.
In 2017, the signs were promptly removed by the City. It was noted that the individual(s) who had created the sign were not authorized to use the City logo, and it is not the City’s messaging. The Ridge-Meadows RCMP has been aware of this incident since 2017.
Pitt Meadows is a welcoming multi-cultural community and this post does not represent the City or its community members. Like other municipalities, the City of Pitt Meadows has a bylaw that asks dog owners to keep their pets on a leash, except in designated off-leash areas.
No physical signs have been found in the City since 2017.
How the Public can Support
At times the social media posts will recirculate over various social media channels. Please share that these posts (and the signs) are not endorsed or supported by the City. The public is also encouraged to support the situation by reporting the posts over social media as spreading false information.