Council to look at increasing the dog limit

Shannon LeClair

Times Reporter

 

Earlier this year Strathmore resident Susan Ruzek came before previous council, requesting the town accept a dog fancier’s permit, to allow her to have three dogs. Teresa Fuchs, animal control/peace officer looked into the request, and on Dec. 1 her findings were brought forward to council. 

“My concern with passing the dog fancier’s permit is you’re going to have other groups coming forward, dog kennels, doggie day cares. So my recommendation was to increase the Bylaw, from two dogs to three dogs, and maybe that would accommodate,” said Fuchs.   

She looked at different towns and cities that have the dog fancier’s permit to see what they have done. She said she often receives calls from people interested in knowing the dog limit and saying ‘oh no never mind’ after they hear the limit is two. 

“I would like to see it changed to three myself, personally. We get a lot of people that move into town, and you know they’ve had three shitzus for 10, 12 years, and now I’m going and knocking on their door and saying they have to get rid of one, because that’s how the bylaw reads,” said Fuchs. 

“I guess my only worry with this is if we change it from two to three do we then get someone coming and saying I want to be a dog fancier and have four. Where does it stop?” asked Councillor Earl Best. 

Councillor Sobol said he is confident there are already many homes that have more than three dogs and he would like to see it legal. 

Councillor Rempel was concerned with proposed change to the bylaw.

“If we allow three dogs per household, that’s what we’re doing, we’re opening this up to another 4,500 dogs, and we have enough irresponsible dog owners in this town as it is we don’t need more dogs,” said Rempel.  

“I agree,” said Mayor Steve Grajczyk.  “But like Councillor Sobol says, they are here already and I don’t mean to be facetious about that but at least we’re getting the revenue.” 

Currently there are approximately 1,700 dog licenses issued in the town. The proposal of instituting a dog fancier’s permit was dropped, and instead council will be looking at amending the bylaw. In order to discuss amending the bylaw it must be brought before council in that regard at a future date. The issue was tabled until that time.