Two and Two

Heavily debated Animal Control Bylaw passed.

After much discussion the Town of Bonnyville has decided two dogs and two cats is enough for any one household. The Animal Control Bylaw was passed at Tuesday’s Council meeting.

Council had discussed in length the number of pets per household they were comfortable with allowing at March 28th Council Meeting. At that time, no Councillor seem completely comfortable with any more than three (3) dogs per residence. With that in mind, Town Administration brought back the bylaw (No. 1459-17) to allow for three (3) dogs and two (2) cats; making for a total of no more than five (5) domestic animals at one time.

Councillor Ray Prevost moved to allow for this; however, it quickly appeared Council was not on his side. Many Councillors felt that three (3) dogs were just too much. Councillor Jim Cheverie noted that he walks the trail everyday and has come across one person walking three dogs felt this was not a safe or manageable situation. All of Council was in agreed that they would not want to live next to a house that had three dogs. With those points in mind, Councillor Prevost’s motion was defeated.

The previous bylaw allowed for two (2) dogs and two (2) cats, Council felt that it worked in the past and there was no need to change it. Since there was a new bylaw on the table, they did have to vote on it and decided to change the number of dogs back to three. In an unanimous vote, Bylaw No. 1459-17 The Animal Control Bylaw was passed with two (2) dogs and two (2) cats allowed per property.

A number of other items were in the bylaw, as well, including licensing, regulations of dogs, enforcement should someone be in breach of the bylaw and the corresponding fines. More on the bylaw can be found on the Town of Bonnyville’s website: town.bonnyville.ab.ca.