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Town council delays on dog control bylaw

District of Clearwater would like to meet with RCMP before it moves to bring in a dangerous dog bylaw

District of Clearwater would like to meet with the RCMP before it moves to investigate bringing in a dangerous dog bylaw.

“A bylaw sounds like a simple solution but it's not necessarily,” chief administrative officer Leslie Groulx told town council during its meeting on Oct. 15.

Thompson-Nicola Regional District has looked at bringing in an animal control bylaw but so far only five electoral areas have bought in.

The main problem is the cost. In order to enforce a bylaw an appropriately trained and equipped dogcatcher is needed, and there needs to be a properly built and maintained dog pound.

The Central Okanagan Regional District has spent tens of thousands of dollars dealing with a dog whose owner does not want it put down, she said.

The municipality does have some powers under the Community Charter, Groulx pointed out.

These powers are limited but should be enough to allow the RCMP to seize a dog in the most serious cases.

Councillor Ken Kjenstad said it might be a good idea to discuss with the police what can be done under the Community Charter before spending a lot of time investigating a new bylaw.

 

At their Oct. 1 meeting the councillors heard from Clearwater resident Ryan McLarty, who was concerned after a dog bit his young son. McLarty asked that council bring in a bylaw that allows for enforcement against animals that are deemed to be a danger to the general public.