By Grant Warkentin
A Campbell River man who insisted the city had no authority to enforce bylaws on the Tyee Spit must pay, after a confrontation on the beach late last summer.
On September 5, 2025, the city’s Animal Control Officer James Abrams encountered Keith Lansdowne and his dog Becky in Dick Murphy Park, at the north end of the Tyee Spit. After a brief conversation about leashing requirements for animals, Lansdowne claimed the city had no jurisdiction, particularly over the beach below the high tide line, and walked away. Abrams pursued, and the situation escalated.
Witnesses on and off shore described a physical struggle on the beach. In his testimony, Abrams said Lansdowne shoved him up the bank. Lansdowne, who represented himself in court, said he was provoked when the officer grabbed his dog. Regardless, the judge made no finding on whether an assault took place, calling it unnecessary to his decision.
“Mr. Lansdowne did not accept the City’s jurisdiction to enforce its Animal Control Bylaws in the Park, and this came through clearly in his interaction with Officer Abrams,” said Judicial Justice Robert Lesperance in his Reasons for Judgment published June 5, 2026. “While Officer Abrams may have been more diplomatic and courteous in his approach, Mr. Lansdowne had a duty to comply with Officer Abrams’ requests for his name and that of his dog.”
“Instead of stopping and conversing with the officer, he knowingly chose to tell Officer Abrams he had no jurisdiction at the beach and in his own words, chose to ignore him and kept walking. In my view… this conduct alone amounts to hindrance and obstruction.”
City issues tickets, man takes them to court
On Oct. 30, 2025, the city issued two “Municipal Ticket Information” tickets to Lansdowne, charging him with violating the leashing bylaw, and for obstructing the bylaw officer.
On November 6, 2025, Lansdowne filed his notice of intent to dispute the tickets, and his intent to challenge the city’s jurisdiction to issue the tickets.
The case was heard in Campbell River’s provincial court on March 24, 2026.
We Wai Kai Nation chief weighs in
During the March 24 hearing, Lansdowne presented a Feb. 27, 2026 letter signed by We Wai Kai Nation Chief Ronnie Chickite as part of his case.
“This letter states that the tidal waters of the Tyee Spit are part of the unceded traditional territories of the We Wai Kai Nation. The letter further states that We Wai Kai Nation manages its traditional territorial waters and grants Mr. Lansdowne permission to exercise his dog on Tyee Spit,” says the written judgment. “I note that this letter is dated approximately five months and three weeks after the alleged incident.”
The letter was not entered into evidence, but the judge noted that “Mr. Lansdowne is relying on this letter to argue that the Animal Control Bylaws have no application to the Tyee Spit, as this area is Indigenous land and not within the City.
“The only inference I can draw from Chief Chickite’s letter is that We Wai Kai Nation considers the Tyee Spit as unceded traditional territories. Beyond this, I do not have jurisdiction to make any other findings.”
City jurisdiction upheld
Lesperance rejected Lansdowne’s arguments that the city lacked jurisdiction over the beach, referring to the official boundaries laid out in the city’s Letters Patent and certified maps presented in the case.
“I find as a finding of fact the Dick Murphy Park on the Tyee Spit is a Park and Public Place as defined by the Animal Control Bylaws and is within the City’s limits,” Lesperance said. “Therefore, notwithstanding Chief Chickite’s letter, I reject his argument that the Animal Controls Bylaws have no application to Tyee Spit.”
According to City of Campbell River bylaws, the fines for the off-leash and obstruction violations total $700.
Featured image: Dog walkers on the Tyee Spit on July 31, 2026. Photo by Grant Warkentin
Leave a Reply