Yorkton Council unanimously passed the City’s Animal Control Bylaw with a number of amendments.

The Animal Control Bylaw has been reviewed with the Bylaw Control Officers, and through the Protective Services Committee.

The main changes to the bylaw are highlighted below:

• In the past, we have had difficulty when appearing at Court in defining terms such as ‘excessive barking’ and ‘nuisance’ as it applies to dogs. We have incorporated definitions that we believe more clearly define what is reasonable with respect to these definitions.

-- ‘Excessive barking’ means barking or any noise that persistently occurs or continues to such a degree or extent that it unreasonably interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property in the neighbourhood.

-- ‘Nuisance’ means a dog which is behaving in a manner that interferes with the personal comfort or amenities of a neighbourhood.

• This bylaw has not been changed since 2003. It has been restructured, so that it is easier to follow.

• Fines have been increased for most sections. Schedule C has been amended as previously agreed to by Council resolution to allow the SPCA to charge $10 per day boarding fees.

--Fines include:

Unlicensed dog - $100

Failure to show evidence of payment of license fee - $100

False information - $100

Dog was not wearing dog tag off the owner’s property - $100

Biting a person(s) - $200

Injure a person(s) - $200

Chase or otherwise threaten a person(s) -$150

Cause damage to property or other animal(s) - $200

Cause death to a person or other animal - $400

• Updated the vicious dog section. At the request of the Protective Services Committee we have put in a clause stating that any owner that applies for removal of a Vicious Dog designation, must also provide proof of obedience training.

• have also removed the section on Dangerous Dogs. This will be a separate bylaw as a Dangerous Dog designation must be given by the Courts.