Niagara Falls dog owners will have to take their pups elsewhere until further notice following the closure of the dog park at Firemens Park.
The closure comes as a result of a Japanese Wasp infestation.
According to Marianne Tikky, manager of roadways for the City of Niagara Falls, not only is the species large, aggressive, and able to sting multiple times - their sting releases a pheromone that triggers other wasps to create a swarm.
She says they are approximately three times the size of a regular wasp.
Tikky also says that because of the nature of the park, the infestation poses unique risks.
"Because the dog park is a fenced in area meant for dogs to run freely, if they were to run over and it's in the ground and they start digging at it, the wasp could come out and start repeatedly stinging the animal, or if the owner tried to step in to help then the owner could be stung repeatedly. So we're just trying to avoid that and keep everyone safe."
Initially only the small dog park was closed, but the large dog park followed when the wasps were located there as well.
This isn't the first time Japanese wasps have caused problems at this location.
Last summer, a nest was successfully removed from a tree stump.
This year, exterminators hired by the City of Niagara Falls plan to locate and move the queen, causing the rest of the hive to follow suit.
If the queen cannot be located, the entire nest will be eradicated with chemical measures.
Tikky says if chemicals are used, officials will make sure the park is safe before allowing dogs and their owners to return.
She is hoping to have the park open again by the weekend.