Many dog owners love to take their pets everywhere, but they’re not always welcome in some areas, and that has some Maritimes communities rethinking their rules.

A municipal bylaw has kept dogs off the boardwalk in Sydney for 19 years, but the Cape Breton Regional Municipal Council has voted to reconsider the rule.

One councillor says it’s time for change, despite his own fear of dogs.

“I’m open-minded to this. I would like to see dogs on the boardwalk,” says Coun. Lowell Cormier. “They don’t threaten me when they walk on-leash.”

Dog owner Kim Fitzner says more people would use the boardwalk if they could bring their pets.

“I think it should be changed. Most dog owners are responsible. They look after their dogs,” says Fitzner. “As long as they keep them on leashes, and you clean up after them, which is common practice, I think it should be changed.”

Dogs are allowed on many other Maritime boardwalks, such as the Halifax Waterfront, but some Sydney residents believe the ban should be upheld.

“I don’t think there should be dogs on the boardwalk because a lot of people don’t pick up their dogs,” says Linda Mechelse.

Coun. Eldon MacDonald says he is concerned the boardwalk might not be big enough for both dogs and pedestrians.

“The issue I have with our boardwalk, I guess, is how narrow and small our boardwalk is,” he says.

Many dog owners have been bringing their pets to Rotary Park, where an off-leash area was established. Council moved a motion on Wednesday to continue operating the off-leash area in the park on a trial basis.

There are now at least four off-leash spaces in the Sydney area where dogs can run free. Dog owner Kristal Colson says, for the most part, Sydney has become a dog-friendly community.

“It would be nice if they had specific places for dogs or specific breeds because of some of the stigmas people have with certain dogs,” says Colson, who owns a pit bull. “But all in all, there’s lots of people who like to come and bring their dogs out to socialize. I would say there’s enough.”

With files from CTV Atlantic's Ryan MacDonald