TORONTO, Ont. – The city’s parks and environment committee is calling on staff to study a divisive issue in many Toronto neighbourhoods — off-leash hours for dogs at all parks.

Coun. Denzil Minnan-Wong is proposing the city establish specific times when dog owners can let their pooches run free. He’s recommending the committee consult with the parks, forestry and recreation general manager, the municipal licensing and standards committee and animal services and report back no later than June 24.

The committee referred the matter for further study at a meeting on Friday.

Minnan-Wong says dog owners are the most-frequent users of parks “in all four seasons, in all types of weather,” and would like to see Toronto adopt a policy similar to one already in place in New York City.

He wants the city to allow dogs to run free in all city parks between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m.

“In New York, off-leash hours served to significantly decrease the frequency of dog owners walking their dogs off leash during the day when the parks are being used for other activities,” he wrote in a letter to the parks and environment committee.

“The benefits of off-leash exercise for dogs are numerous and help contribute to well rounded, socialized and obedient dogs.”

At St. James Park, dog owners had mixed reactions.

“That’s a great idea because then [the dogs] get to play with the other dogs,” one dog owner said.

But another owner raised concerns over whether owners will be picking up after their dogs.