Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw

Strathcona County, Alberta

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1 BYLAW 37-2017 RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP BYLAW (CONSOLIDATED ON FEBRUARY 13, 2024) Whereas, sections 7 and 8 of the Municipal Government Act, RSA 2000, c M- 26, permit the Council of a municipality to pass bylaws for municipal purposes in relation to wild and domestic animals and activities in relation to them, and to create offences, impose fees, fines and penalties, regulate or prohibit conduct, provide for a system of licensing and the imposition of terms and conditions on licences, and to provide for appeals; PART I - PURPOSE AND INTERPRETATION Purpose 1 The purpose of this bylaw is to establish rules for responsible dog ownership and dog-related matters in Strathcona County. Citation 2 This bylaw is cited as the Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw. Definitions 3 In this bylaw: (a) "animal" means any live creature, both domestic and wild, and includes fowl, fish and reptiles, but does not include a human; (b) "Animal Protection Act" means the Animal Protection Act, RSA 2000, c A-41; (c) "animal shelter" means a facility contracted by the County for the purposes of housing and providing care for impounded dogs or other animals, collecting fees, and otherwise assisting with the administration of this bylaw, and may include a veterinary clinic; (d) "at large" means a dog that is not restrained by a leash or otherwise under the physical control of a person, and that is at a location other than: (i) the owner's property; (ii) inside the boundaries of an off-leash area; (iii) on private property with the consent of the owner of that private property; (iv) a dog grooming premises, during dog grooming; or 2 (v) a location that is hosting a dog sporting event, dog training event or dog show event; (S.2, Bylaw 12-2019, June 25, 2019) (e) "Chief Commissioner" means the chief administrative officer of the County, or delegate; (f) "collar" means a band of material worn around the neck of a dog with permanent apparatus for attaching dog identification tags and affixing a leash; (g) "County" means the municipal corporation of Strathcona County, a specialized municipality established under the authority of the Municipal Government Act, RSA 2000, c M-26 and Order in Council 761/95, or the geographic area municipally described as Strathcona County as the context requires; (h) "Court" means a court of competent jurisdiction in the Province of Alberta; (i) "dangerous dog" means any dog designated as such in accordance with Part V of this bylaw and includes a dog declared dangerous pursuant to the Dangerous Dogs Act or similar enactment; (j) "Dangerous Dogs Act" means the Dangerous Dogs Act, RSA 2000, c D-3; (k) "dangerous dog notice" is a written notice from the Chief Commissioner informing an owner that the owner's dog has been declared dangerous, in accordance with the provisions of this bylaw; (k.1) "dangerous dog permit" means a permit granted under the authority of this bylaw that allows a person to keep a dog declared as a dangerous dog pursuant to this bylaw; (S.2(a), Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) (k.2) "dangerous dog permit fee" means the fee payable to obtain a dangerous dog permit, as set by the Fees and Charges Bylaw; (S.2(a), Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) 3 (l) "distress" has the same meaning as in the Animal Protection Act, RSA 2000, c A-41; (m) "dog" means a member of the species canis lupus familiaris (commonly referred to as the domestic dog), including any hybrid offspring of that species; (n) Deleted (S.2(b), Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) (o) Deleted (S.2(c), Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) (p) "dog tag" means an identification tag bearing information about the dog's owner; (S.2(d), Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) (q) "Fees and Charges Bylaw" means the County's Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw, Bylaw 36-2023; (S.2(e), Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) (r) "foster residence" means the residence of a person who provides a temporary home to a rescue dog; (s) "General Appeals and Review Committee" means the County Council committee that conducts hearings to review decisions made by County peace officers; (t) "harness" means an apparatus attached to the chest and back of a dog that is of suitable size and strength to allow a person to physically restrain a dog when it is attached to a dog's leash; (u) "impoundment fees" means fees charged for veterinary services, food, boarding, and any charges or expenses charged by the County as a result of enforcement action relating to a dog or incurred while a dog is impounded; (S.2(f), Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) (v) "in heat" means the period of time during which a female dog can become impregnated; (w) Deleted (S.2(g), Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) (x) "leash" means a length of rope, chain, fabric or other material of reasonable strength and length that when 4 attached to a dog's collar or harness, allows a person to physically restrain and guide a dog; (y) "microchip" means a small device that goes under a dog's skin and contains a unique ID number that can be scanned by a reader. It is a tool for identifying and reuniting lost dogs with their owners; (S.2(h), Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) (z) "motor vehicle" has the same meaning as it does in the Traffic Safety Act, RSA 2000, T-6; (aa) "Municipal Government Act" means the Municipal Government Act, RSA 2000, c M-26; (bb) "municipal tag" means a document or instrument issued by the County that alleges that a person committed a bylaw offence and allows that person to pay a specified penalty amount in lieu of prosecution; (cc) "muzzle" means a device placed over the mouth of a dog that allows the dog to drink and pant, but is of sufficient size and strength to prevent the dog from biting; (dd) "off-leash area" means a geographic area designated by the County wherein dogs are not required to be attached to a leash; (ee)"over-limit permit" means a permit granted under the authority of this bylaw that allows a person to keep at their residence more than the maximum number of dogs permitted by this bylaw; (ff) "over-limit permit fee" means the fee payable to obtain an over-limit permit, as set by the Fees and Charges Bylaw; (gg) "owner" means: i. a person who has the apparent care, charge, custody, possession or control of a dog; ii. a person who legally or beneficially owns or claims a proprietary interest in a dog; 5 iii. a person who allows, suffers, keeps or permits a dog to be at any property owned by or under his or her control; iv. a person who claims and receives a dog from the custody of an animal shelter or a peace officer; iv.1 a person who keeps another person's dog in the County for 30 days or longer. (S.2(i), Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) v. a person to whom a licence or permit was issued for a dog, under this or any other bylaw or enactment; or (S.3, Bylaw 12-2019, June 25, 2019) (S.2(j), Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2023) vi. a rescue organization; (hh) "owner's property" means private property owned by, possessed by, or under the control of an owner; (ii) "patrol dog" means a dog providing security or guard dog services pursuant to a permit or licence issued under the Security Services and Investigators Act, SA 2008 c S-4.7; (jj) "peace officer" has the same meaning as in the Peace Officer Act, SA 2006, c P-3.5; (kk) "person" means: i. an individual; ii. an incorporated entity, including a corporation, society, or cooperative; and iii. the individual or individuals who are, or hold themselves out to be, legally entitled to represent an unincorporated entity such as a partnership, firm, association, organization or entity; (ll) "police dog" means a dog that is trained to perform policing services for a police service; 6 (mm) "police service" has the same meaning as it does in the Police Act, RSA 2000, c P-17; (nn) "progeny" means a dog that is not older than six (6) months that is kept at or allowed to remain with its mother at an owner's property; (oo) "Provincial Offences Procedure Act" means the Provincial Offences Procedure Act, RSA 2000, c P-24; (pp) "Public Health Act" means the Public Health Act, RSA 2000, c P-37; (qq) "registered veterinarian" has the same meaning as in the Veterinary Profession Act, RSA 2000, c V-2; (S.2(k), Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) (rr) "rescue dog" means a dog that is in the temporary care of a rescue organization; (ss) "rescue organization" means a person that is engaged in finding permanent homes for rescue dogs that is recognized as a rescue organization by the Chief Commissioner for the purposes of this bylaw; (tt) "residence" means a property, home, house, shelter, room, place, building, or structure, including a portion of a multi-unit building or structure, including the lands associated to it, that is occupied by, in the possession of, or under the control of a person who lives or resides there; (uu) "secure enclosure" means a structure, fenced area or other enclosed space that prevents a dog from leaving that space without assistance from a person, and that is sufficiently secured to prevent persons other than the owner from accessing the dog; (vv) "serious wound" means an injury resulting from a dog attack which causes a breaking of the skin or the flesh to be torn; (ww) "service dog" has the same meaning as in the Service Dogs Act, SA 2007, c S-7.5; and (xx) "violation ticket" has the same meaning as in the Provincial Offences Procedure Act. 7 Interpretation Application 4 The following rules apply to interpretation of this bylaw: (a) Headings, titles, and preambles in this bylaw are for ease of reference only; (b) References to one gender includes the other and the singular includes the plural as the context requires; (c) Every provision of this bylaw is independent of all other provisions and if any provision of this bylaw is declared invalid by a Court, all other provisions of this bylaw remain valid and enforceable; and (d) References to bylaws and enactments in this bylaw include amendments and replacement bylaws and enactments, and regulations and orders thereunder; (e) Offences under this bylaw are strict liability offences. 5 Nothing in this bylaw relieves a person from the obligation to comply with a provision of any other bylaw or enactment, or the requirements of a permit, order or licence issued under another bylaw or enactment. 6 Nothing in this bylaw prohibits a person from engaging in any activity that is lawfully permitted by another bylaw or enactment, or pursuant to a permit, order or licence granted under the authority of another bylaw or enactment and reasonably contemplated within the scope of a permit, order or licence. 7 The owners of service dogs, police dogs and patrol dogs are required to comply with the provisions of this bylaw except where the offence or other provisions of this bylaw are contrary to the functions performed by those dogs, or this bylaw or an enactment, permit, order or licence governing service dogs, police dogs or patrol dogs exempts those dogs from the application of provisions of this bylaw. (S.3, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) 8 PART II - DOG TAG REQUIREMENTS (S.4, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) Dog Licence 8 Deleted 8.1 Deleted 9 Deleted 10 Deleted 11 Deleted 12 Deleted 13 Deleted (S.5, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) Conditions 14 Deleted (S.5, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) Expiry 15 Deleted (S.5, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) Onus 16 Deleted (S.5, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) Dog Tags 17 The owner of a dog shall ensure the dog is wearing a visible dog tag on the dog's collar or harness that displays a telephone number for the dog's owner when the dog is in a location other than the owner's property. 17.1 A dog shall not be required to wear a visible dog tag: (a) at a dog grooming premises during dog grooming; (b) at a location that is hosting a dog sporting event, dog training event or dog show event; (c) if the dog is a service dog, police dog, or patrol dog. (S.6, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) 9 18 The owner of a dog shall ensure the telephone number on the dog tag under section 17 is a current telephone number at which the owner can be contacted. (S.6, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) 19 The onus of proving a telephone number is current is on the person alleging the telephone number is current. 19.1 The onus of proving a dog is a service dog, police dog, or patrol dog is on the person alleging the dog is a service dog, police dog, or patrol dog. (S.6, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) Offence 20 An owner or other person who fails to comply with a provision under this Part is guilty of an offence. PART III - OVER-LIMIT PERMITS Limits 21 Unless an over-limit permit is issued to a person for a residence, that person may not keep, allow, suffer or permit more than the following number of dogs to reside or remain at a County residence: (a) Not more than three (3) dogs, for residences of five (5) acres or less; and (b) Not more than five (5) dogs for residences over five (5) acres. Over-limit Permit 22 Upon receipt of an over-limit permit application and payment of the over-limit permit fee prescribed by the Fees and Charges Bylaw unless the fees are waived by the Chief Commissioner, the Chief Commissioner may issue an over- limit permit, with or without conditions or restrictions. 22.1 The over-limit fee shall not be reduced or refunded if the permit is only in effect for part of a year, unless the over- limit permit fee is waived by the Chief Commissioner. (S.7, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) 23 The Chief Commissioner may request from an over-limit permit applicant, and the applicant must provide, any records and information that in the opinion of the Chief Commissioner are material to the over- limit permit 10 application, including, but not limited to records and information relating to whether: (S.5, Bylaw 12-2019, June 25, 2019) (a) the applicant's residence is reasonably able to accommodate more than the permitted number of dogs; (b) the applicant has special skills or qualifications for handling more than the permitted number of dogs; (c) the applicant or other persons at the residence have been convicted of, or are under investigation for, bylaw offences under this bylaw or another animal bylaw or an enactment; (d) the applicant is operating a foster residence, houses service dogs in training, has progeny at the residence, or any other circumstance giving rise to the application for an over-limit permit; or (e) the applicant is moving from a location where the number of permitted dogs was higher. Conditions 24 The Chief Commissioner may decline to issue an over-limit permit and may impose conditions and restrictions on an over-limit permit, and an owner must comply with any conditions and restrictions imposed. (S.6, Bylaw 12-2019, June 25, 2019) Offence 25 An owner or other person who fails to comply with a provision under this Part is guilty of an offence. Transferability 26 An over-limit permit is not transferable between residences. Expiry 27 Over-limit permits are valid for the residence and the number of dogs specified in the over-limit permit from the date of issue until January 31 each year. (S.8, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) Variation and Revocation 28 The Chief Commissioner may vary the conditions or terms of an over-limit permit, and may revoke an over-limit permit if: 11 (a) the applicant provided false or misleading information or records in support of the application; or (b) the applicant or a person residing or allowed to remain at the residence is convicted of an animal related offence. PART IV - OFFENCES At large 29 An owner whose dog is at large is guilty of an offence. Deliver an at large dog to a peace officer 30 A person who takes charge of an at large dog and fails to deliver it into the custody of a peace officer or animal shelter is guilty of an offence. Remove Defecation 31 An owner who does not immediately remove defecation left by that owner's dog, at a location other than the owner's property, is guilty of an offence. (S.7, Bylaw 12-2019, June 25, 2019) Prohibited Spaces 32 A person who brings a dog into an area where dogs are prohibited is guilty of an offence. Release 33 A person who, without the consent of an owner, releases a dog from a secure enclosure is guilty of an offence. (S.8, Bylaw 12-2019, June 25, 2019) Unsupervised Dog 34 A person who leaves a dog unsupervised at a location other than an owner's property, or private property with the consent of the private property owner, is guilty of an offence. Motor Vehicle 35 A person who transports a dog outside of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle without securing the dog in such manner as to prevent escape or injury, is guilty of an offence. 36 A person who leaves a dog unsupervised outside of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle or in an open passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is guilty of an offence. Off-leash Area Conduct 37 A person who fails to carry a leash in an off-leash area is guilty of an offence. 12 38 A person who, in the opinion of a peace officer, fails to supervise and maintain reasonable control over a dog in an off-leash area is guilty of an offence. Distress 39 A person who permits a dog to be in distress is guilty of an offence. Confinement 40 A person who does not confine a female dog in heat to the owner's property, or with the consent of another private property owner to that owner's private property, is guilty of an offence. 41 A person who fails to confine or quarantine a dog that the owner has reason to suspect has been exposed to rabies, parvovirus, distemper or other similar serious contagious infection is guilty of an offence. Noise 42 An owner of a dog that barks, howls, or otherwise makes such noise so as to, in the opinion of a peace officer, be likely to disturb the peace of any person is guilty of an offence. (S.9, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) 43 Dog barking and howling or other noise shall be deemed to disturb the peace of any person if the barking, howling or other noise activity: (a) occurs within 100 metres of another residence, and continues for more than one (1) hour; or (b) occurs between the hours of 22:00 hours and 06:00 hours and continues for more than fifteen (15) minutes. Owner's Property 44 An owner who fails to remove from the owner's property accumulations of dog fecal matter or other dog waste that is in the opinion of a peace officer excessive, is guilty of an offence. 45 An owner who permits dog fecal matter or other dog waste to drain into neighboring properties is guilty of an offence. Damage 46 An owner of a dog that causes damage to private or public property is guilty of an offence. 13 Garbage 47 An owner of a dog that scatters garbage is guilty of an offence. Aggressive Conduct 48 The owner of a dog that, without provocation, threatens, chases, harasses, injures, harms, attacks or kills a person or animal is guilty of an offence. Onus 49 The onus of proving a dog is on the owner's property, or is on private property with the private property owner's consent, is on the owner. 50 The onus of proving provocation is on the person alleging provocation. PART V - DANGEROUS DOG PROVISIONS Declaration 51 The Chief Commissioner may declare a dog to be a dangerous dog for the purposes of this bylaw by issuing a dangerous dog notice to the dog's owner if the Chief Commissioner has reasonable grounds to believe either through personal observation or investigation that the dog: (a) is the subject of an order under the Dangerous Dogs Act or similar enactment; (b) is the subject of a conviction under any bylaw or enactment for injuring, harming, attacking or killing a person or an animal; (c) has inflicted a serious wound on a person or animal; or (d) has a known propensity to, without lawful excuse, harm, attack, injure or kill another animal or a person. Dangerous Dog Notice 52 Where the Chief Commissioner declares a dog to be a dangerous dog, the Chief Commissioner shall serve a dangerous dog notice on the dog's owner which shall contain: (a) the declaration; (b) the conditions, restrictions, and requirements imposed as a consequence of the declaration; and (c) information on how to appeal the declaration. 14 Service 53 The Chief Commissioner may deliver a dangerous dog notice by: (a) personally serving notice on the owner; (b) delivering the notice by pre-paid registered post to the owner's last known postal address; or (S.10, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) (c) by posting the notice to the door or other conspicuous location at the owner's property. 54 A dangerous dog notice is deemed, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to have been received by the owner on the day following the date on which it is delivered or posted at the owner's property, and on the seventh day following the date of mailing if sent by pre-paid registered post. Dangerous Dog Requirements 55 The owner of a dog that has been served with a dangerous dog notice must within fifteen (15) days of the date of service, unless the Chief Commissioner in writing varies the requirements or the time for compliance: (a) Obtain a dangerous dog permit; (S.11, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) (b) Post signage at the owner's property to notify the public of the presence of a dog that has been declared a dangerous dog; (c) Obtain and deliver to the County a copy of the owner's insurance coverage for dog related injuries in an amount not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00); (d) If the dog is not microchipped, obtain a microchip for the dog; and (e) Deliver to the County copies of the dog's microchip, tattoo, Canadian Kennel Club or other documents to allow the County to identify the dog. Dangerous Dog Conduct Requirements 56 In addition to complying with the provisions of this bylaw that apply to all owners and other persons, an owner of a dangerous dog: 15 (a) must not permit the dog to be located within 100 metres of an off- leash area; (b) must maintain the dangerous dog in a secure enclosure when it is not attached to a leash; (c) must keep the dangerous dog on a leash that is no longer than two (2) metres in length when the dangerous dog is not in a secure enclosure; (S.9, Bylaw 12-2019, June 25, 2019) (d) must securely fasten a muzzle to the dangerous dog when it is at a location other than the owner's property; and (S.10, Bylaw 12-2019, June 25, 2019) (e) must not allow any person other than an adult person to have physical control of the dangerous dog while it is at a location other than the owner's property. Dangerous Dog Permit (S.13, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) 57 An owner of a dangerous dog must obtain a dangerous dog permit for the dangerous dog: (a) immediately if required under section 55(a) of this bylaw; and (b) prior to January 31 for each calendar year or part of a calendar year after the year in which the dog was declared a dangerous dog. 57.1 The dangerous dog permit fee shall not be reduced or refunded if the permit is only in effect for part of a year. (S.12, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) 58 The Chief Commissioner may impose conditions and restrictions on a dangerous dog permit and an owner must comply with any conditions and restrictions imposed. (S.11, Bylaw 12-2019, June 25, 2019) (S.14, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) 59 Deleted (S.15, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) 16 Offence 60 An owner of a dangerous dog or other person who fails to comply with a provision under this Part is guilty of an offence. Enforcement 61 If an owner of a dog declared to be dangerous under this Part fails to comply with the requirements of this Part, a peace officer may direct the owner to comply, or pursuant to a warrant, seize the dog and deliver it to an animal shelter pending further order of the Court. PART VI - DISEASE CONTROL Owner's Responsibilities 62 The owner of a dog that has caused a serious wound, or that the owner has reason to suspect may have been exposed to rabies or other communicable disease under the Public Health Act, shall, in addition to any other duty imposed by the Public Health Act or other enactment immediately inform a peace officer: (a) of the infliction of the serious wound or the suspicion of exposure to rabies or other communicable disease; (b) of the name and contact information for the person or owner of the animal having received the serious wound; and (c) whether the matter has been reported to the local community health centre, Public Health Inspector, or the Medical Officer of Health. Peace Officer's Authority 63 A peace officer that has reasonable grounds to believe that a dog found at large may have, or has been exposed to, rabies or another communicable disease under the Public Health Act : (a) shall report the matter to the Medical Officer of Health or a Public Health Inspector as soon as reasonably possible; and (b) may confine the dog at an animal shelter or any other location as directed by the Medical Officer of Health or a Public Health Inspector. Offence 64 An owner or other person who fails to comply with a provision in this Part is guilty of an offence. 17 PART VII - ENFORCEMENT Continuing Offences 65 If an offence is of a continuing nature, each day or part thereof that a person fails to comply with the requirements of this bylaw constitutes a new offence. Obstruction 66 An owner or other person who interferes with or obstructs a peace officer in the execution of the peace officer's duties under this bylaw is guilty of an offence. False Information 67 An owner or other person who provides false information to a peace officer is guilty of an offence. Enforcement Measures 68 Nothing in this bylaw precludes a peace officer from taking any enforcement measure available in another bylaw or an enactment, in addition to issuing a municipal tag or violation ticket for an offence. 69 A peace officer is a designated officer of the municipality with the power to conduct inspections, take enforcement action, and order any person to remedy a contravention pursuant to the Municipal Government Act, or as provided for and in accordance with any other enactment or bylaw. Municipal Tag 70 A peace officer may issue and serve a municipal tag on any person the officer has reasonable and probable grounds to believe has contravened a provision of this bylaw by: (a) personally serving the municipal tag on the person; or (b) mailing a copy of the municipal tag by pre-paid post to an owner's or other person's last known postal address. (S.16, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) 71 A municipal tag shall be in a form approved by the Chief Commissioner and shall state: (a) the name of the person to whom the municipal tag is issued; (b) particulars of the contravention under this bylaw; (c) the specified penalty for the offence as set out in Schedule "A"; 18 (d) that the specified penalty shall be paid within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the municipal tag in order to avoid prosecution; and (e) any other information as may be required by the Chief Commissioner. 72 If a municipal tag has been issued and the specified penalty on the municipal tag has not been paid within the prescribed time, a peace officer may issue a violation ticket to the person to whom the municipal tag was issued. 73 A peace officer may, in the officer's sole discretion, elect to issue and serve a violation ticket without first issuing a municipal tag. 74 A peace officer is authorized to issue a violation ticket to any person the peace officer believes on reasonable and probable grounds has committed an offence under this bylaw under Part 2 or Part 3 of the Provincial Offences Procedure Act. 75 If a violation ticket is issued, it will be in the prescribed form and will: (a) state the specified penalty for the offence as set out in Schedule "A"; or (b) require a person to appear in the Alberta Court of Justice with or without the alternative of making a voluntary payment. (S.17, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) Penalties 76 A person guilty of an offence under this bylaw is liable upon summary conviction to a penalty in an amount not less than the amount specified in Schedule "A" of this bylaw, or if not prescribed in Schedule "A", not more than $10,000.00, and any other penalties as may be prescribed in default of payment in relation to proceedings taken under Part 2 or Part 3 of the Provincial Offences Procedure Act. PART VIII - IMPOUNDMENT Peace Officer Powers 77 A peace officer, in addition to any other powers or authority granted under this or another bylaw or an enactment, is authorized: (a) to capture and impound at an animal shelter any dog that is at large; 19 (b) to take any reasonable measures necessary to subdue a dog that is at large or poses a reasonable safety threat to any person or a peace officer, including the use of traps, tranquilizers and other materials and equipment; (c) to enter onto private or public lands in pursuit of a dog while it is at large; and (d) if a dog is in distress, whether or not as a result of enforcement action taken pursuant to this bylaw, to take the dog to a registered veterinarian for treatment and, once treated, to deliver the dog to an animal shelter. Costs 78 Impoundment charges are debts due and payable to the County by the owner or person in relation to whom enforcement or other action under this bylaw is taken. Reclaim Dog from Impound 79 An owner may reclaim an impounded dog by demonstrating to the satisfaction of a peace officer or an animal shelter that the person owns the dog by producing valid identification and by: (a) paying the dangerous dog permit fee, if the dog is a dangerous dog and the dangerous dog permit fee has not been paid; (b) arranging for and paying for the cost of microchipping the dog, if the dog is a dangerous dog and is not microchipped; and (c) paying the impoundment fees. (S.18, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) Unclaimed Dog 80 If an owner does not reclaim a dog within ten (10) days from the date a dog is impounded, the Chief Commissioner may in accordance with the Animal Protection Act, dispose of the dog by sale or gift. (S.19, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) Medical Euthanasia 81 If in the opinion of a registered veterinarian an impounded dog should be humanely euthanized for medical reasons, the Chief Commissioner may direct the registered veterinarian to humanely euthanize the dog. 20 No Action No action shall be taken against any person acting under the authority of this bylaw for damages for destruction or other disposal of a dog. PART IX - DECISIONS AND APPEALS Decisions 82 The following matters are within the Chief Commissioner's discretion, subject to any appeal or review provided for in this bylaw or to a Court: (a) Determination of which organizations constitute rescue organizations for the purposes of this bylaw; (b) Determination of which dog training and behavioural courses are acceptable for a dog licence fee waiver application; (c) Prescribing the forms required for applications and other matters under this bylaw; (d) Prescribing the form and content of signage or materials to be used to inform the public of the presence of a dangerous dog; (e) Determining appropriate conditions and restrictions for a dog licence, dangerous dog licence or over-limit permit; (f) Decisions on fee waiver applications for dog licences or over-limit permits; and (g) Prescribing the form and content of dog tags. Appeals 83 An appeal to the County's General Appeals and Review Committee lies from the Chief Commissioner's decisions on the following matters: (a) dangerous dog declarations; (b) to deny or revoke an over-limit permit; (c) conditions or restrictions on a dangerous dog permit or over-limit permit. (S.20, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024) 21 84 An owner must deliver notice in writing to the Chief Commissioner of an appeal not less than seven (7) days after the date on which the owner was served notice of the Chief Commissioner's decision. (S.1, Bylaw 42-2018, November 27, 2018) 85 The Chief Commissioner will, not later than seven (7) days after notice of an appeal was delivered to the Chief Commissioner, deliver to the General Appeals and Review Committee, the records and information upon which the decision under appeal was based. Judicial Review 86 The decision of the General Appeals and Review Committee is final, subject to judicial review by the Courts. PART X - GENERAL Effective Date 87 This bylaw comes into effect on January 1, 2018. Repeal 88 Bylaw 85-2006 is repealed on January 1, 2018. Transitional 89 Nothing in this bylaw invalidates any action taken, licence or permit granted or revoked, or offence proceeding commenced under or pursuant to Bylaw 85-2006. NOTE: Consolidation made under Section 69 of the Municipal Government Act, R.S.A. 2000, c.M-26 and Bylaw 21-2015 Section 8, and printed under the Chief Commissioner's authority. Bylaw 37-2017, passed by Council September 5, 2017 Amendments Bylaw 42-2018, November 27, 2018 Bylaw 12-2019, June 25, 2019 Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024 22 SCHEDULE "A" Bylaw 37-2017 RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP BYLAW SPECIFIED MINIMUM PENALTIES Section Offence 1st Offence 2nd Offence 3rd and Subsequent Offences 17 Failure to attach a dog tag to a dog's harness or collar $150 $300 $500 18 Failure to keep information on dog tag current $150 $300 $500 21 Failure to obtain an over-limit permit with higher than permitted number of dogs at residence $250 $500 $1,000 23 Provide false or misleading information to obtain an over-limit permit $250 $500 $1,000 24 Failure to comply with conditions or restrictions on an over-limit permit $250 $500 $1,000 29 Dog at large $150 $300 $600 29 Dog at large (dangerous dog) $250 $500 $1,000 30 Failure to deliver dog at large to a peace officer $250 $500 $1,000 31 Failure to remove defecation at location other than owner's property $150 $300 $600 32 Bring dog to a prohibited area $100 $200 $400 33 Release dog from secure enclosure without owner's consent $100 $200 $400 34 Leave dog unsupervised while off owner's property $100 $200 $400 23 35 Transporting dog in motor vehicle without securing dog $100 $200 $400 36 Leaving dog unsupervised outside of passenger compartment or within open passenger compartment $100 $200 $400 37 Failure to carry a leash in an off- leash area $100 $200 $400 38 Failure to supervise and maintain reasonable control over dog in off- leash area $100 $200 $400 39 Allow dog to be in distress $250 $500 $1,000 40 Failure to confine female dog in heat $100 $200 $400 41 Failure to quarantine a dog suspected of or having rabies, parvovirus or distemper $250 $500 $1,000 42 Dog barking, howling or other noise disturbing the peace of other person $150 $300 $600 44 Failure to remove accumulations of fecal matter at owner's property $150 $300 $600 45 Allow dog fecal matter or dog waste to drain into neighbouring properties $150 $300 $600 46 Dog damages private or public property $100 $200 $400 47 Dog scattering garbage $100 $200 $400 48 Dog threatens, chases, or harasses a person or animal $100 $200 $400 24 48 Dog injures, harms, attacks, or kills a person or animal $300 $600 $900 55(a) Failure to obtain a dangerous dog permit or comply with conditions and restrictions in permit $500 $1,000 $2,000 55(b) Failure to post signage to notify public of dangerous dog at owner's property $500 $1,000 $2,000 55(c) Failure to deliver proof of insurance coverage $250 $500 $1,000 55(d) Failure to obtain a microchip for a dangerous dog $250 $500 $1,000 55(e) Failure to deliver dangerous dog's identifying information $250 $500 $1,000 56(a) Dangerous dog within 100 metres of an off-leash area $250 $500 $1,000 56(b) Failure to maintain dangerous dog in secure enclosure $250 $500 $1,000 56(c) Dangerous dog attached to a leash longer than two meters $250 $500 $1,000 56(d) Dangerous dog not wearing muzzle when off owner's property $250 $500 $1,000 56(e) Dangerous dog not under physical control of an adult person while off owner's property $500 $1,000 $2,000 57 Failure to obtain dangerous dog permit $500 $1000 $2000 58 Failure to comply with conditions or restriction of a dangerous dog permit $500 $1000 $2000 62 Failure to comply with disease control requirements $1,000 $2,000 $4,000 25 66 Interfere with or obstruct peace officer $500 $1,000 $2,000 67 Provide false information to a peace officer $500 $1,000 $2,000 (S.12, Bylaw 12-2019, June 25, 2019) (S.21, Bylaw 1-2024, February 13, 2024)