The City of Armstrong is taking a bite out of its dog bylaw.
The current bylaw is 10 years old and council feels it’s a bylaw that needs some changes.
“The time has come to make the changes so we are proposing a new bylaw with eight changes,” said Coun. Kelly Rowe, chairperson of the city’s finance and administration committee.
Three readings of the proposed new bylaw were given at July’s only monthly regular meeting.
One of the biggest changes will see the required age for licensing a dog move to six months from four months.
“The local vet clinic does not spay or neuter a dog until at least six months of age,” said Rowe. “This extension of time allows a new dog owner to have their puppy spayed or neutered without having to first pay for a licence under the higher unaltered fee.”
Another major change is the addition of the definition of a dangerous dog, taken directly from the Community Charter. The City of Enderby uses the same definition in its dog bylaw.
According to the Community Charter a dangerous dog is one that has killed or seriously injured a person; has killed or seriously injured a domestic animal, while in a public place or while on private property, other than property owned or occupied by the person responsible for the dog; or an animal control officer has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to kill or seriously injure a person.
All references to nuisance dogs will be eliminated and separate fines for violations such as dog bites, harassing a person, harassing an animal and causing property damage are being considered under a change to the city’s municipal ticketing bylaw.
That change was also given three readings Monday. If passed, the owner of a dog harassing a person or animal would be fined $100. Chasing a vehicle or cyclist would result in a $50 fine, as would damage to property.
A dog bite fine would be $150.
