In Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole Meeting, a new animal control by-law was brought forward for council to review.
The current animal control and dog control by-laws in Bradford have not been updated in 25 years and need to be revised in order to meet current animal welfare laws and needs within the community, Councillors were told.
The revised by-law “provides additional regulations for animal welfare, which is a huge issue for our community,” noted Manager of Enforcement, Brent Lee.
The new Animal Control By-law will revise and consolidate two current by-laws (Animal Control By-law 1994-035 and Dog Control By-law 2006-027) into one, and provide more clarity in its terminology and definitions, helping to clarify the rules and putting staff in a better position, when it comes to interpreting any prohibitions.
Revisions have been made to many areas of animal control, to improve the care, control and living standards of animals in BWG.
The new by-law would also include council’s direction on the 2017 staff report, on "Backyard Chickens in Residential Zones.”
The Dog Control by-law encompasses all areas of canine regulation, including: licensing, dangerous dogs, dogs running at large, poop & scoop laws, the maximum number of dogs per household, and excessive/persistent barking. There were no major changes proposed, just some 'tweaking.'
The revised by-law will carry forward the following regulations:
• Maximum of three (3) dogs per legal dwelling unit;
• Pigeons and racing pigeons are prohibited;
• Licensing requirements, including proof of vaccinations;
• Prohibition of exotic animals (some exemptions apply);
• Prohibition from keeping livestock in residential areas;
• General dog-related prohibitions (barking, poop & scoop, running at large);
• Dangerous dog provisions for muzzling; and
• No regulation of cats
Due to the elimination of the OSPCA as an animal protection enforcement agency, new regulations have been added for the keeping of animals outdoors and other areas. They include:
• An obligation to provide a sanitary environment free from fecal matter, odour, insect and rodent infestation;
• Adequate care, access to food, water, shelter and opportunity for physical activity, attention, grooming, sunlight and veterinary care as needed;
• Prescriptions for keeping animals in cages;
• Prescriptions for keeping animals outdoors, including prohibitions from keeping dogs outdoors during extreme weather;
• Regulations relating to the tethering of dogs, including length, location and types of tethers;
• Provisions for unattended animals kept outdoors and within motor vehicles;
• Provisions for securing animals in motor vehicles; and
• Requirements for pet shops to obtain animals from rescues and animal/humane shelters.
As for “Backyard Chickens", the new by-law will formalize the prohibition of backyard chickens in residential zones, with a few exemptions, including:
• The property is at least 2.5 acres in size;
• The subject lot is outside of the urban settlement area established in the official plan; and
• The subject lot has agriculturally-zoned lands abutting all sides.
Coun. Peter Dykie inquired about a cat by-law, noting he has been receiving many questions regarding the issue.
“I think any municipality will have an issue with cats,” said Lee, but he called it a “Catch 22.” Attempting to control cats can result in higher associated costs. "Your impound fees will go up,” he said, especially with the number of cats left unclaimed in shelters.
“If a cat is found, it is subject to be claimed or impounded by animal control. That’s something we can deal with on a case-by-case basis. We aren’t looking to license cats at this point,” Lee said.
Coun. Gary Lamb said he was never in favour of licensing cats, “because they don’t listen and who’s going to keep the vermin down?”
Lamb added, “They don’t bother anybody. My advice is don’t feed the cats.”
Coun. Dykie then asked about other wildlife, such as squirrels and how residents should handle the issues, but Lee pointed out that there is no wildlife management component included in the by-law.
“Our role will be if animals are sick, injured, or endangered,” he said. It will be up to each individual property owner to deal with wildlife issues that may arise, such as squirrels.
As for exotic animals, the current by-laws prohibits the keeping of “livestock, pigeons, birds, reptiles and any wild animals including any tamed or domesticated wild animal," which the report noted as too vague. The new by-law now identifies which types of birds and reptiles are prohibited, making it easier for the town to control.
In order to better assess which animals were to be included in the list, the following items were considerd:
• If the animal is on a federal or provincial protected, at-risk, endangered or prohibited species list;
• If the animal venomous, poisonous or presents an undue danger to human health or safety;
• Can animal welfare and care be reasonably met by the owner;
• Does the animal present an invasive threat to local animals or the environment; and
• Will the animal cause public nuisance problems relating to noise, odour or significant waste.
“I think it’s a good by-law, put together quite well,” said Coun. Mark Contois.
Councillors, in committee of the whole, recommended approval of the new by-law at the next regular meeting of council.
