City considers updating animal control regulations

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed February 6, 2015 2:00 PM

Summary

During its regular meeting held Monday, February 2, Council provided direction to staff to reexamine existing animal control regulations currently in place throughout Nanaimo. Key areas of interest included:

Staff were directed to prepare guidelines for dog owners that encourages responsible pet ownership, while at the same time continuing with current bylaw requirements regarding the regulation of dogs.
Staff were directed to prepare a bylaw to address the need for adequate ventilation in vehicles and to establish rules on tethering dogs. The bylaw is not intended to enable the rescue of distressed dogs, however it will provide Animal Control and Bylaw Officers with the ability to issue tickets where animals are enclosed in inadequately ventilated situations or that are tethered for unacceptable periods of time.
Council passed a resolution that instructed staff to work with the SPCA regarding the creation of a report that may lead to a cat regulation bylaw and report back to Council at a future meeting.

Link to Strategic Plan: Taking responsibility to be an excellent municipal government.

Key Points

In response to public concern, Council intends to create guidelines for responsible pet ownership that will include standards for adequate ventilation for pets and for tethering of dogs.
Licencing and Control of Animals Bylaw 1995 No. 4923 will remain in effect and will be amended to provide Animal Control and Bylaw Officers the ability to issue tickets in situations where responsible pet ownership is not being demonstrated.
Staff will work in conjunction with the Nanaimo Branch of the BCSPCA to develop a report for Council that examines options for cat ownership and that may lead to a cat regulation bylaw in the future.

Quotes

"By reviewing our current bylaws surrounding the proper care of dogs and cats in Nanaimo, staff will seek ways of improving the safe keeping and control of pets in our community."

Rod Davidson

Assistant Manager Bylaw, Regulation and Security

City of Nanaimo

-30-

Contact:

Rod Davidson

Assistant Manager Bylaw, Regulation and Security

City of Nanaimo

250-755-4466

Mike Dietrich

Manager, Police Support Services

City of Nanaimo

250-755-3201

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