Animal Control Bylaw No. 1032

Beaverlodge, Alberta

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TOWN OF BEAVERLODGE BYLAW NO. 1032 A bylaw of the Town of Beaverlodge in the Province of Alberta, to provide for the licensing, regulation and control of Dogs and to establish regulation for Dogs, Cats, and other Animals in the Regional Animal Pound. WHEREAS, the Municipal Government Act, R.S.A. 2000 c M-26 of Alberta, authorizes a Municipality to pass Bylaws respecting the safety, health and welfare of people and the protection of people and property and respecting domestic animals and activities relating to them; and WHEREAS, the Municipal Government Act, R.S.A. 2000 c M-26, authorizes a Municipality to pass a Bylaw regulating, licensing, and controlling Dogs, Cats, and other Animals. NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Town of Beaverlodge enacts as follows: 1. This bylaw may be cited as the "Animal Control Bylaw" 2. DEFINITIONS (a) "Animal" shall mean any domestic animal or small household pet including exotic pets, and shall not include domestic or wild Birds, Wildlife, or Livestock. (b) "Assistance Dog" means any professionally trained Dog that works in partnership with a person to increase his or her independence, safety and mobility. (c) "Attack" means an assault resulting in bleeding, bone breakage, sprains, abrasions, bruising. (d) "Barking" means howling, whining, whimpering, baying, orbarking. (e) "Bite" means a wound to the skin causing an abrasion, bruising, puncture or break. (f) "Cat" means either a male or female domestic Cat of anybreed. (g) "Controlled Confinement" means when an order is issued by a Peace Officer to confine or seize a Dog in either the Regional Animal Pound or at any other location as specified in the order and confined in a pen, cage or building in a manner that will not allow the Dog to Bite or harm any person, Animal or Livestock. (h) "Day" means a continuous period of twenty-four (24)hours. (i) "Dog" means either a male or female Dog of any breed. (j) "Dog license" means a license application issued by the Town of Beaverlodge. (k) "Dog Tag means the physical tag issued by the Town of Beaverlodge as a means of identification. (I) "Impounded" means a Dog, Cat or other Animal that has been apprehended, caught, trapped in a live trap, or is otherwise caused to come into the care and custody of a Peace Officer pursuant to an investigation or apparent breach of this Bylaw or other Federal or Provincial Legislation concerning Animals. (m) "leash" means any material that is less than 2 meters in length capable of restraining the Dog on which it is being used. (n) "livestock" means alpacas, bison, cattle, donkeys, goats, horses, llamas, mules, sheep, and swine. (o) "Muzzle" means a device of sufficient strength that when placed over a Dog's mouth to prevent it from Biting. (p) "Owner" means the Owner of a Dog and includes any person or groupof people: (i) named as Owner on a Dog License application; (ii) in possession or control of a Dog; or (iii) in possession or control of the property where a Dog appears to reside, either temporarily or permanently. (q) "Peace Officer" means: (i) a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, (ii) a Peace Officer appointed under the Peace Officer Act, (iii) a person appointed as a Bylaw Enforcement Officer, (iv) a Pound keeper or their designate employed for the purpose of operating the Pound. (r) "Playground Equipment" means an area containing play equipment, play structure(s) and protective surfacing that is intended for the use of children. (s) "Posted Area" means an area posted by the Town of Beaverlodge with a sign which prohibits Dogs from being in that area. (t) "Pound" means the Regional Animal Pound established for the temporary holding of Impounded, captured, stray or other Dogs, Cats, and Animals. (u) "Recreation Areas" means any area within the Town of Beaverlodge that is owned, leased, or operated or managed by the Town of Beaverlodge and is intended for but not limited to the use of sporting events and only encompasses the area of the field intended for the activity. (v) "Running at Large" means a Dog which is off the premises of its Owner and is not on a Leash and under control of a competent person. (w) "Service Dog" means a service dog as defined in the Service Dog Act. (x) "Town" means the corporate entity of the Town of Beaverlodge. (y) "Vicious Dog" means any Dog whatever its age, whether on public or private property, shows a propensity, disposition or potential to Attack without provocation or a Dog which has: (i) chased, injured or Bitten any other Animal, Livestock or human, (ii) damaged or destroyed any public or private property,or (iii) threatened or created the reasonable apprehension of a threat to any other Animal, Livestock or human which presents a threat of serious harm to other Animal, Livestock, or humans, or (iv) has previously been determined to be a Vicious Dog by any other jurisdiction. If a Peace Officer determines that a Dog is a Vicious Dog, either through personal observation or, on the basis of facts, determined after an investigation initiated by a complaint, the Officer may declare the Dog to be a Vicious Dog. (z) "Vicious Dog License" means a license issued by the Town of Beaverlodge for a Vicious Dog. (aa) "Violation Ticket" means a violation ticket as defined in the Provincial Offences Procedure Act. (bb) "Voluntary Payment" means payment pursuant to Section 26 or 36 of the Provinces Offences Procedure Act. (cc) "Voluntary Penalty" means a penalty specified in this Bylaw for a contravention of a provision of this Bylaw which amount may be paid by a person to whom a voluntary payment summons was issued. 3. DOG LICENSING (a) No owner shall keep any Dog over the age of six (6) months within the Town of Beaverlodge unless such Dog is licensed in accordance with this Bylaw. (b) Before the issue or renewal of a licence pursuant to this part, the owner must submit to the Town clerk: (i) the licence fee as established by the Town of Beaverlodge Fees & Charges Policy; (ii) proof, in form acceptable to the Town clerk, of the dog being spayed or neutered if applicable; (iii) any additional information required by this bylaw or by the CAO. (c) Unless otherwise specified in this bylaw, the term of a licence pursuant to this part expires December 31'1 of the year it is issued or renewed. Licences must be renewed annually on or before January 31'' of the year following expiry. (d) The Owner applying for a Dog licence must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. (el The Owner shall ensure that the Dog wears the current Dog Tag issued for that Dog. The Dog Tag must be securely attached to the Dog. (f) A Dog Licence and a Dog Tag is specific to an individual Dog and may not be transferred to another Dog. (g) If a Dog Tag is lost, it is the responsibility of the Owner to notify the Town of Beaverlodge and obtain a new Dog Tag. Replacement tags are subject to a fee as established by this bylaw. (h) No person shall provide false information on the Dog/Vicious Dog Licence Application. 4. KEEPING OF DOGS (a) No Owner shall keep or allow to be kept more than two (2) Dogs that have reached six (6) months in age. (b) An Owner desiring to keep more than two (2) Dogs may apply in writing to the Town of Beaverlodge to be considered for an exemption. 5. CAT LICENCING (a) No owner shall keep any Cat over the age of six (6) months within the Town of Beaverlodge unless such Cat is licensed in accordance with this Bylaw. (b) Before the issue or renewal of a licence pursuant to this part, the owner must submit to the Town clerk: (i) the licence fee as established by the Town of Beaverlodge Fees & Charges Policy; (ii) proof, in form acceptable to the Town clerk, of the cat being spayed or neutered if applicable; (iii) any additional information required by this bylaw or by the CAO. (c) Unless otherwise specified in this bylaw, the term of a licence pursuant to this part expires December 31'' of the year it is issued or renewed. Licences must be renewed annually on or before January 31'' of the year following expiry. (d) The Owner applying for a Cat Licence must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. (e) The Owner shall ensure that the Cat wears the current Cat Tag issued for that Cat. The Cat Tag must be securely attached to the Cat. (f) A Cat Licence and a Cat Tag is specific to an individual Cat and may not be transferred to another Cat. (g) If a Cat Tag is lost, it is the responsibility of the Owner to notify the Town of Beaverlodge and obtain a new Cat Tag. Replacement tags are subject to a fee as established by this bylaw. (h) No person shall provide false information on the Cat Licence Application. 6. KEEPING OF CATS (a) No Owner shall keep or allow to be kept more than four (4) Cats that have reached six (6) months in age. (b) An Owner desiring to keep more than four (4) Cats may apply in writing to the Town of Beaverlodge to be considered for an exemption. 7. NUISANCES (a) The Owner shall ensure their Dog does not Bark in a manner that is reasonably likely to annoy or disturb the peace or the quality of life for others. (b) When a Peace Officer is determining whether Barking is reasonably likely to annoy or disturb the peace or the quality of life for others, consideration may be given to, but is not limited to: (i) proximity of the property where the Dog resides; (ii) duration of the Barking; (iii) time of day and day of the week; (iv) nature and use of the surrounding area. 8. DEFECATION (a) The Owner shall forthwith remove any defecation left by the Dog/Cat on public or private property other than that of the Owner. (b) The Owner shall ensure that defecation left by the Dog/Cat on the property of the Owner does not accumulate to such an extent that it is reasonably likely to annoy any person by sight or smell. 9. RUNNING AT LARGE (a) No Owner shall permit a Dog to be Running at Large within the Town of Beaverlodge except at an approved and designated off-leash park. (b) No Owner shall permit their Dog to be unattended and tied to any object when off the property of the Owner. Such Dog shall be deemed to be Running at Large. 10. MOTOR VEHICLES (a) No Owner shall permit, or allow any Dog to ride on the outside of a moving vehicle where the Dog is not secured in a manner that prevents the Dog from jumping or falling out. 11. PRIVATE PROPERTY (a) No Owner shall permit any Dog to trespass on private property whether on or off Leash. (b) No Owner shall permit any Cat to trespass on private property, unless the person in charge of the private property consents to the Cat being there. 12. PLAYGROUNDS/POSTED AREAS (a) An Owner shall not permit a Dog/Cat to be on any school property play area or Playground. (b) An Owner shall not allow a Dog/Cat to be on any Posted Areas. 13. SCATTERING GARBAGE (a) The Owner of a Dog/Cat shall ensure that it does not upset any waste receptacle or scatter garbage on public or private property not belonging to the Owner of the Dog/Cat. 14. THREATENING BEHAVIOURS (a) The Owner of a Dog shall ensure that such Dog shall not: (i) chase or Bite a person, Dog, Cat, Livestock, Animal, or any type of vehicle. (ii) cause damage to property or Dogs, Cats, Livestock or Animals. (iii) Attack or threaten a person, Dog, Cat, Livestock, fowl or Animal. (iv) cause death to a Dog, Cat, Livestock, fowl or Animal. (b) A Peace Officer, who believes an offence has been committed under subsection (a), may order Controlled Confinement of the Dog. (c) An Owner shall follow all conditions as stipulated in the Controlled Confinement order. (d) An Owner shall not use or direct a Dog to Attack, chase, or threaten a person, Dog, Cat, Livestock, fowl or Animal. 15. DOG/CAT IN HEAT (a) Notwithstanding subsection (b), an Owner of a Dog/Cat in heat shall, during the entire period that such Dog/Cat is in heat, keep such Dog confined in a manner as not to attract other Dogs/Cats. (b) Where a Dog in heat is confined such Dog shall be permitted out of confinement for the sole purpose of permitting such Dog to urinate or defecate. 16. ANIMAL CONTROL OPERATION -AUTHORITY (a) A Peace Officer may capture, trap, or Impound any Dog found Running at Large. (b) A Peace Officer may enter onto any land in pursuit of a Dog which is Running at Large. (c) A Peace Officer, in any case where the Owner of a Dog can be identified through the Town of Beaverlodge's records, may return the Dog to its Owner where practicable instead of taking the Dog to the Pound. (d) A Peace Officer may use any humane method to capture a Dog. Should the Dog be hurt during capture or attempted capture, neither the Town of Beaverlodge nor the Peace Officer shall be held liable for such injury. (e) A Peace Officer may delegate his powers to any person for the purpose of assisting the Peace Officer in the capture of any Dog in contravention of this Bylaw. Any person delegated or assisting a Peace Officer shall not be held liable as per subsection (d). (f) A Peace Officer may seize any Dog that in the opinion of the Peace Officer poses a threat to the public. When a Dog is seized the Peace Officer may issue a Controlled Confinement order to the Owner of the Dog. 17. OWNER IDENTIFICATION (a) An Owner of any Dog/Cat found in violation of any provisions of this Bylaw shall on demand, produce or provide forthwith suitable identification to the Peace Officer. (b) For the purpose of this Bylaw, suitable identification shall mean any document or documents, or verbal communication, verifying the name, date of birth and current address of the Owner. 18. OBSTRUCTION (a) No person shall: (i) interfere with or attempt to obstruct a Peace Officer who is attempting to capture or has captured a Dog which is subject to being Impounded or seized pursuant to the provisions of this Bylaw; (ii) induce a Dog to enter a house or other place where it may be safe from capture or otherwise assist a Dog to escape capture; (iii) unlock, unlatch or otherwise open the Peace Officer's vehicle to allow or to attempt to allow any Dog to escape; (iv) tamper with, unlock, unlatch or otherwise open a kennel, humane live trap, or any other Animal control equipment; (v) fail, without lawful excuse, to follow any direction under this Bylaw given by a Peace Officer. 19. NEGLIGENCE (a) No person shall: (i) untie, loosen or otherwise free a Dog which has been tied or otherwise restrained, or (ii) negligently or willfully open a gate, door or other opening in a fence or enclosure in which a Dog has been confined thereby allowing a Dog to Run at Large within the Town of Beaverlodge. 20. TRAPPING OF AN ANIMAL (a) A person who has humanely trapped a Dog, Cat or other Animal shall: (i) take all reasonable precautions to keep any trapped Dog, Cat, or other Animal safe from harm, and (ii) notify and surrender a trapped Dog, Cat or other Animal to a Peace Officer, or where applicable transport the trap and Dog, Cat or other Animal to the Regional Animal Pound for surrender, and (iii) abide by the terms and conditions of the Animal Trap Agreement. 21. TORMENT (a) No person shall tease, torment, annoy, or otherwise provoke a Dog. 22. VICIOUS DOGS (a) If a Peace Officer determines that a Dog is a Vicious Dog, he may: (i) give the Owner a verbal and/or written order that the Dog has been deemed to be a Vicious Dog, and (ii) require the Owner to keep such a Dog in accordance with the provisions of Section 21 of this Bylaw. (iii) under this Bylaw a Vicious Dog order continues to apply if the Vicious Dog is sold, given or transferred to a new owner. 23. VICIOUS DOG REQUIREMENTS (a) The Owner of a Vicious Dog shall within ten (10) days after the Dog has been declared a Vicious Dog obtain a Vicious Dog licence from the Town of Beaverlodge. (b) The Owner of a Vicious Dog shall take all the necessary steps to ensure that the Dog does not Bite, chase or Attack any person whether the person is on public or private property or in a dwelling. (c) The Owner of a Vicious Dog shall take all the necessary steps to ensure that the Dog does not Bite, chase or Attack any Dog, Cat or other Animal whether the Dog, Cat or Animal is on public or private property or in a dwelling. (d) When a Vicious Dog is in the dwelling house of its Owner, it shall be restrained or kept confined in such a manner as to prevent the escape of the Dog and to secure the public from harm. (e) When a Vicious Dog is not in a dwelling house it must be confined in a locked pen with a secure bottom effectively attached to the sides, or the sides shall be embedded in the ground to a minimum depth of thirty (30) centimeters. The pen must be located at a point no closer than 1.5 meters to the apparent boundary of the property. (f) When a Vicious Dog is off the premises of the Owner, it shall be securely Muzzled, on a Leash and controlled by the Owner or a competent person capable of controlling the Dog at all times. (g) Owner of a Vicious Dog shall notify a Peace Officer immediately if the Dog is Running at Large. (h) When the Owner of a Vicious Dog produces a certificate indicating that the Dog has passed the Canine Good Neighbor's Test, as administered by a qualified instructor, the County may grant an exemption for the Muzzling and secure pen requirements of this Section. 24. IMPOUNDMENT (a) A Dog, Cat, or other Animal that is Impounded pursuant to this Bylaw may be taken to the Pound and held for a period of S calendar days. Statutory Holidays shall not be included in the computation of the 5 calendar days period. (b) A Dog, Cat or other Animal turned in to the Pound as a found or stray animal may be held for a period of 5 calendar days. And Statutory Holidays shall not be included in the computation of the 5 calendar days period. (c) A Dog, Cat or other Animal that is Impounded or otherwise turned in to the Pound shall be subject to a mandatory reclaim fee plus additional daily boarding costs as specified in the Town of Beaverlodge Fees & Charges Policy. (d) At the end of the lmpoundment period, the Dog, Cat or other Animal shall become the property of the Town of Beaverlodge unless the Dog, Cat or other Animal Owner complies with the following: (i) fills out the required reclaim forms fully, and (ii) pays the required reclaim fees, and (iii) pays the required daily boarding cost fees. (e) If all legal requirements have not been met under this Bylaw, or other provincial or federal animal legislation, the Peace Officer will not be required to release the Dog, Cat or other Animal to the Owner and may continue to Impound the Dog, Cat, or other Animal for such further period of time as the Peace Officer deems necessary. (f) A Dog that is under a Controlled Confinement order pursuant to this Bylaw may be released back to the Owner on conclusion of the Peace Officers investigation provided all the requirements of this Bylaw have been met. (g) Reclaim and daily boarding cost fees may not be charged for a Controlled Confinement Dog. (h) If the Owner fails to reclaim a Dog that is under Controlled Confinement order on the expiry of the 10 day period, or sooner under the direction of a Peace Officer, the Dog will revert to Impound status and the provisions of Section 22(a) will apply. 25. PROHIBITED ANIMALS (a) No person shall keep or have any of the following on any premises with a municipal address in the Town: (i) a Large Animal or the young thereof; (ii) poultry; (iii) bees; or (iv) poisonous snakes, reptiles or insects. (b) This section, other than 25 (a)(iv), does not apply in the case of premises with a municipal address in the Town, on land zoned AG, or to land which horses were previously grandfathered. 26. FINES AND PENALTIES (a) Any person who contravenes the provisions of this Bylaw, or direction given by a Peace Officer pursuant to this Bylaw, is guilty of an offence and may be issued a Violation Ticket. (b) A person who is guilty of an offence pursuant to this Bylaw is liable upon summary conviction to a fine in an amount not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) and not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00). (c) A Provincial Court Judge, Commissioner or Justice, may in addition to the penalties provided in this Bylaw, direct or order the Owner of a Dog to prevent such Dog from doing mischief or causing a disturbance or a nuisance complained of or to have the Dog removed from the Town of Beaverlodge or to have the Dog destroyed. (d) Providing no offence has reoccurred against an individual Dog within the previous twelve (12) months, an offence shall be considered to be a first offence unless it is in public interest pursuant to Section 27 of the Provincial Procedure Act. (e) The specified penalty payable in respect of a contravention of a provision of this Bylaw is the amount shown in Schedule "A". 27. EXEMPTIONS (a) This Bylaw does not apply to a Service Dog or Assistance Dog while it is in active service. (b) Service Dogs are exempt from Section 3 of this Bylaw. 28. SEVERABILITY (a) Each Section of this Bylaw shall be read and construed as being separate and severable from each other Section. Furthermore, should any Section or Part of this Bylaw be found to have been improperly enacted for any reason, then such Section or Part shall be regarded as being severable from the rest of the Bylaw and the Bylaw remaining after such severance shall be effective and enforceable. 29. RESCIND BYLAW Bylaw 917 and 917-Al is hereby rescinded. 30. EFFECTIVE DATE This Bylaw shall come into full force and effect on the third and final reading. READ A FIRST TIME this 12th day of November 2024. READ A SECOND TIME this 25th day of November 2024. Mayo&_r' Rycroft ;, READ A THIRD TIME this 25th day of November 2024. ?2- - Mayo/Gary Rycroft == ---> ATTACHMENTS: Schedule "A" - Specified Penalties SCHEDULE "A" SPECIFIED PENALTIES 2nd offence 3rd offence Section Offence (Description) 1st offence within 1 year within 1 year 3(a) Unlicensed dog 100 200 Court 3(e) Dog not wearing dog tag 100 200 Court 3(h) Provide false information on license application 200 300 Court 4(a) Keep more than 2 dogs 200 300 Court 5(a) Unlicensed cat 100 200 Court 5(e) Cat not wearing cat tag 100 200 Court 5(h) Provide false information on license application 200 300 Court 6(a) Keep more than 4 cats 200 300 Court 7(a) Dog barking disturbing the peace of any person 100 200 Court S(a) Fail to remove defecation forthwith 100 200 Court S(b) Fail to remove defecation from owners property 200 300 Court 9(a) Al low dog to run at large 100 300 Court 9(b) Unattended dog left tied while off the property of the owner 100 200 Court l0(a) Unsecured dog on the outside of a vehicle 100 200 Court Allow dog to trespass on private property while on or off a ll(a) leash 100 200 Court Allow dog to be on any school property, playground or other 12(a) posted area 100 200 Court 12(b) Allow dog on recreation area 100 200 Court 13(a) Dog scatter garbage 200 300 Court Chase or bite a person, dog, cat, livestock, animal or any 14(a)(i) vehicle 300 500 Court 14(a)(ii) Cause damage to property, dog, cat, livestock or other animal 300 500 Court 14(a)(iii) Dog attack or threaten 200 400 Court 14(a)(iv) Dog cause death to dog, cat, livestock, fowl or animal 500 1,000.00 Court 14(c) Owner fail to comply with controlled confinement order 500 1,000.00 Court An owner shall not use or direct a dog to attack, chase, or 14(d) threaten a person, dog, or animal 500 1,000.00 Court 15(a) Fail to keep a female dog confined while in heat 100 200 Court 17(a) Fail to produce suitable identification 200 400 Court 2nd offence 3rd offence Section Offence (Description) 1st offence within 1 year within 1 year Interfere or obstruct a Peace Officer who is attempting to 18(a)(i) capture a dog 500 1,000,00 Court 18(a)iii) Induce the dog to enter a house or other place to avoid capture 500 1,000.00 Court 18(a)(iii) Unlock or unlatch Peace Officer's vehicle 500 1,000,00 Court Tamper with, unlock, unlatch or otherwise open a kennel, lS(a)(iv) twmane live trap, or anv other anlma! control equipment S00 1,000.00 Court lB(a)(v) Fail to comply with direction ttiven by Peace Officer 500 1,000,00 Court Untle, loosen, or otherwise free a dog that has been 19(a)(i) tied/restrained 100 200 Court 19(a)(ii) Open a gate, door or other opening in a fence or enclosure 100 200 Court 201allil Failure to keep trapped animal safe from harm 250 Court Court Failure to notify or surrender a trapped dog, cat or other animal 20(a)(ii) to a Peace Officer 250 500 Court Shall abide by the terms and conditions of the animal trap 20(a)(iii) agreement 250 500 Court 21(a) Tease/torment/annoy/provoke a dov 200 400 Court 23(a) fail to obtain vicious dog license 500 1,000.00 Court 23(b) Vicious dog bite/chase/attack a person 1,SOOJJO Court Court 23(cl Viclous dog bite/chase/attack a dog/cat/animal 500 1,000,00 Court 23(d) Fail to keep vldous doc confined in dwelling 500 1,000,00 Court ,23(e) Fail to keep vicious dog confined when not ln dwelling house 500 1,000.00 Court 23(f) Fail to keep a vicious dog muzzled or leashed orooerly 500 1,000,00 Court Owner of a vicious dog shall notify the Peace Officer 23(g) immediately if the <log is running at lame 500 1,000,00 Court 2S(a) Prohibited Animals S00 1,000,00 Court Section not specified- any other section to which a flne has not been specified 100