Neighbouring municipalities aren’t ready to decide on restrictions to rabbit sales, but Victoria city council isn’t interested in waiting for regional co-operation.
“My concern (about waiting) is that was one of the main items of interest to our citizens, as well as … the B.C. SPCA,” said Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe.
Council signaled its intent to move forward with prohibiting the sale of rabbits at pet stores, unless the animals are spayed or neutered.
“I recognize that means that you can’t buy your rabbits at Hillside (in Victoria), but if you go to Uptown (in Saanich) you can,” said Mayor Dean Fortin. Regardless, he said “I think we should send a signal to encourage everybody else in the region to do it.”
Rob Woodland, director of legislative and regulatory services, put the breaks on the momentum.
“We’ll have to consult (with the pet stores) … and hopefully move the bylaw forward in September,” he said.
The rabbit sale issue is one of many being examined as part of a comprehensive animal control bylaw review.
