Dog owners in Enderby better have a poop bag handy or face a fine.
Council adopted the dog control bylaw Monday to include a $100 fine if an individual fails to remove fecal material created by their dog or doesn’t have a disposal bag.
“I have been hearing absolutely positive things from people about the bylaw,” said Coun. Raquel Knust.
“They hope our bylaw people will be out enforcing the rules. People are thanking council for bringing the issue forward.”
It was decided to target individuals without disposal bags because there has been a problem with people telling city staff that waste is not from their dog.
The bylaw states, “an owner of a dog shall, when on public or private property without the express consent of a property owner, be in possession of at least one dog fecal matter disposal bag for the purpose of removing any fecal matter that their dog may deposit.”
The bylaw also states that dog waste must be immediately removed from the property and disposed of in a suitable refuse container.
The fine will be reduced to $50 if there is early payment within 30 days and the late payment penalty is $110.
Knust insists the city is not being heavy-handed with dog owners.
“Most responsible dog owners are already picking up,” she said.
“It’s for those people who are allowing their dogs to run free and they are not picking up after them.”
