OTTAWA (CBC) - More than 2,500 pet owners in Ottawa have signed a petition urging OC Transpo to allow animals on the buses.

Across Canada, many cities allow small animals in carriers on buses during off hours. But Ottawa is not among them.

OC Transpo has said that up to now there wasn't enough interest in the idea, but there was also worry about passengers having allergic reactions to the pets.

Candice O'Connell, of the Ottawa-based group Responsible Dog Owners of Canada, said Thursday that allergies should be not a concern.

"If you're carrying a small animal in a crate, there's very little risk of transferred pet dander. In fact there's more pet dander transported by pet owners' clothes daily that ride the bus," O'Connell said.

But not everyone thinks taking pets on the buses is a good idea.

Joy Newton, a sheep dog owner, rides the bus every day.

"There's [going to be] too many things on the bus besides people. You've got dogs, then you've got large ones and small ones, and you pack that bus up.

"It's hot, you can't breath on it, you can't move on it, and it's claustrophobic, and you expect animals to go through that as well? I don't think it's a good idea," Newton said.

Coun. Rick Chiarelli said the idea has merit, but there may have to be some conditions set, and it may require pet owners to pay extra.

"The 101 Dalmatians can all pile on the bus for free? I don't think that's in the cards right now," he said.

The idea will be debated at the city's transit committee in August.

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