Bylaw 10-2025 Domestic Animal Control

Vermilion, Alberta

This is the exact embedded text of the captured official document. Snapshot 15154e08b5f7 · verified 2026-06-08 · original document · archived snapshot · unofficial consolidation, the official version is held by the municipal clerk.

BYLAW 10-2025 BEING A BYLAW OF THE TOWN OF VERMILION IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DOMESTIC ANIMAL CONTROL BYLAW WHEREAS, pursuant to the Municipal Government Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. M-26, as amended or repealed and replaced from tim¢ to time, authorizes the Council of the Town ofVermilion to pass Bylaws tor the regulation and control of animals in the Town. we THEREFORE, the Town of Vermilion duly assembled hereby enacts as follows: ITI 1. TLE 1.1. This Bylaw shall be cited as the Animal Control Bylaw. 2. DEFINITIONS 2.1. The definitions listed in Schedule "A" attached to this Bylaw shall apply, unless context otherwise requires. 3. APPOINTMENT, AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER 3.1. Except where specific authority is reserved to Council, in the Bylaw the administration and enforcement of thi Bylaw is hercby delegated to the Chicf Administrative Officer. 3.2. Without restricting any other power, duty or function granted by this Bylaw, the Chicf Administrative Officer may carry out anything required for the administration of this Bylaw, including but not limited to the following: 3.2.1. delegate any powers, duties or functions under this Bylaw to an employce of the Town; 3.2.2. carry out any inspections that are reasonably required to determine compliance with this Bylaw; 3.2.3. establish any forms required for the administration of this Bylaw. 4. DOG AND CAT IDENTIFICATION AND PROVISIONS 4.1. Every Owner of a Dog or a Cat within the Town shall ensure that Domestic Animals over the age of six (6) months have a Tag containing a legible and operational phone number of the owner or § § a beg where the Owner can be contacted. . The Dog or Cat shall not be properly identified if the Domestic Animal is not wearing a collar with a Tag when the Domestic Animal is off the Property of the Owner and the Owner shall be subject to a fine for failing to properly identify the Domestic Animal as per the attached Schedule "co", 4.3. Every Owner shall provide their Domestic Animal with a collar which shall have a tag attached for such Domestic Animal. The collar and Tag shall be always worn by such Dog or Cat when such Domestic Animal is not on the Owner's premises, 4.4. People who require assistance of a Service Dog shall ensure it is identified as a Service Dog on the Tag. 5. CONTROL OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS 9.1. Every Owner shall always keep their Domestic Animal under physical control. The Vown may from time to time, by resolution of Council, designate a zone under its control as an area where a Domestic Animal in the presence of ity Owner may be unleashed. No Kennel] shall be permitted on residential property in the Fown. No Owner of any Domestic Animal shall permit such Domestic Animal to Run at large in the Town. 5.5. No Owner of any Domestic Animal shall permit such Domestic Animal to run at or attack any person : In addition to any penalty applied by the Town, a presiding judge may, upon hearing of any complaint under Section 5.5, make an order directing anyone or a combination of the following requirements: 5.6.1, that the Owner of said Domestic Animal pay such damages as the complainant may have sustained, that the Owner of said Domestic Animal confine or muzzle such Domestic Animal for such period as the presiding judge may determine; that the Owner of said Domestic Animal forthwith deliver such Domestic Animal to the Pound Keeper who will forthwith arrange for the destruction of said Domestic Animal; and 5.6.4. that the Owner remove such Domestic Animal trom the Town. 'the Owner ofa female Domestic Animal in Heat shall ensure that such animal is kept sO as not to be an attractant to other animals. The Owner ofa Domestic Animal that defecates on any public or private property other than the proj y of its Owner shall remove all remnants of such defecation immediately. No Owner shall permit his Domestic Animal to damage public or private property and where a Domestic Animal damages public or private property the Owner of said animal shall be guilty of an offence and shall be required to make restitution for such damages to the owner of the damaged property, in addition to any fine that may be issued. No Owner shall permit their Domestic Animal to bark or how] excessively, as determined by the Designated Officer. No Owner shall permit their Domestic Animal to, in any manner, disturb the quict of any Person. Nothing in this Bylaw shall be construed as to prevent Domestic Animals from being used in Law Enforcement operations and any Domestic Animal training or being used operationally in a Law Enforcement role, by an accredited Police Service, and any Domestic Animal being used in any of the above noted roles shall be exempted from this Bylaw. 6. POUND OPERATION 6.1. A Designated Officer is authorized to capture and impound, through the use of a humane trap or by such other means as are deemed reasonable by the CAO; 6.1.1. AllDomestic Animals found in contravention to this Bylaw; and 6.1.2. all Domestic Animals which are found wounded, distressed, abandoned or diseased. . In the event a Bylaw Enforcement Officer or a Designated Officer is required to release a distressed animal from a locked vehicle, any cost associated with the release of said animal shall be at the expense of the Owner of the animal or to the Owner ofthe Vehicle. . The CAO may cause, establish or appoint an authority to operate a Pound for keeping impounded Domestic Animals at a place or places approved by the CAQ and establish all rules and regulations in accordance with this Bylaw pertaining to the conduct of the Pound Keeper and the administration of the Pound. . The Pound Keeper shall keep all Domestic Animals impounded for a minimum period of seventy-two (72) hours, not inclusive of the day of impoundment, Sundays and statutory 6.4.1. During this period, any healthy Domestic Animal may be obtained by its Owner upon payment of the appropriate fine where applicable, plus impoundment tees in the sum set out in Schedule 'B' here to attached for every twenty-four (24) hour period or portion thereof that the Domestic Animal has been impounded. . Upon impoundment of a Domestic Animal, the Pound Keeper shall make reasonable efforts to locate the Owner of the impounded Domestic Animal. ». If at the expiration of seventy-two (72) hours, calculated as described in Section 6.6.1. herein, any impounded Domestic Animal has not been redeemed, the Pound Keeper may take such action as is necessary for the Domestic Animal to be donated, sold or cuthanized. . The Pound Keeper shall provide Veterinarian care to any Domestic Animal which, upon or during impoundment, requires, in the Pound Keeper's sole discretion such care. All costs of such care shall be at the expense of the Owner and shall be paid in full prior to the release of said animal. . Any impounded Domestic Animal which appears to be suffering from any disease shall be held subject to the jurisdiction of the province of Alberta that has authority in regard to the health of animals and discase control. . The removal of any animal in the possession of the Pound Keeper shall not be permitted with ayment of any outstanding fees or fines. ) ) g SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR RESTRICTED OR VICIOUS DOGS 7.1. At all times, while a Restricted Dog is on the premises of its Owner, the Owner shall Keep such Dog confined indoors or confined in a securely enclosed or locked pen or other structure constructed to prevent the escape of the Restricted Dog, and capable of preventing the entry of any person other than the Owner. . Any exterior enclosure containing a Restricted Dog shall have secure sides and a secure top, and if it has no bottom secured to the sides, the sides shall be embedded In the ground toa depth of not less than 0.3 meters. . When any Restricted Dog is off the premises of the Owner, the Owner shall securely muzzle such Dog, and harness or leash it securely so as to maintain immediate Physical Control and to effectively prevent such Dog from attacking or biting any person or animal. id ~ A a - . Every Owner ofa Restricted Dog shall prevent such Restricted Dog from attacking any person in any place in the Town. _ In addition to any penalty applied by the 'Town, a presiding Judge may, upon hearing of any complaint under Sections 7.1 through 7.4 inclusive herein, may make an order directing anyone or a combination of the following requirements: ) § 7.5.1. that the Owner of said Restricted Dog pay such damages as the complainant may have sustained. 7.5.2. that the Owner remove such Restricted Dog from the 'Town. 7.5.3. that the Owner of said Restricted Dog forthwith deliver such Restricted Dog to the Pound Keeper who shall forthwith arrange for the cuthanizing of such Restricted Dog. S 7.6. If a Designated Officer believes any animal may pose an immediate risk or danger to any Person, the Designated Officer may immediately seize and impound such Domestic Animal. 7.7. The CAO shall be advised by the Designated Officer of any situation where a Dog may be determined a Vicious Dog following cither personal observation or alter an Investigation initiated by a complaint has been completed. The CAQ shall review the details of the investigation and confirm that such Dog has been deemed a V »g, and upon such g o confirmation shall, in writing: 7.7.1. inform the Owner that the Dog has been determined to be a Vicious Dog; 7.7.2. require the Owner to Keep such Dog in accordance with the provisions relating to Restricted Dogs as contained herein; and 7.7.3. inform the Owner that the Owner of a Vicious Dog not kept in accordance with the provisions contained herein for the keeping of Restricted Dogs shall be guilty of an offence, 1 liable upon conviction to a fine as provided in Schedule 'C' attached hereto, and liable uj conviction to the orders described in Section 7.6 herein. . The CAO shall immediately declare a Dog to be a Vicious Dog when such Dog undertakes two (2) confirmed unprovoked attacks within a period of twelve (12) consecutive months. . When any Dog has undertaken one (1) unprovoked attack the CAO may, in writing, order the Owner of such Dog to take action to prevent a further unprovoked attack, including but not limited to: 7.9.1. requiring such Dog to be fitted with a muzzle at all times In the Town when such Dog is off the property of itsOwner; and 7.9.2, requiring the Owner of such Dog to maintain on his property an enclosed pen or other structure constructed to prevent the escape of such Dog and of a character and state of repair satislactory to the CAQ. 7.9.3, Requirements of an order issued pursuant to section 7.9 shall be met within seven (7) days of receipt of such order. 7.10. If a Designated Officer believes any animal may pose an immediate risk or danger to any Person, } : g they may immediately seize and impound such animal. 7.11. Any animal seized pursuant to section 7.11 will be impounded until such time that the CAO is satistied that it no longer poses a threat to any person. Any Ices incurred in accordance with sections 7.9 and 7.11 shall be at the sole expense of the Owner of said animal. 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS 8.1. The keeping of Domestic Animals or Exotic Animals is permitted within the Town in accordance with the provisions of this Bylaw, unless possession of such animal is otherwise prohibited by provincial or federal legislation. . No Owner shall Keep pigeons or rabbits in numbers greater than three (3). . Livestock Permitted Zones: the keeping of livestock is permitted on any parcel of land designated as Urban Reserve (UR) or Parks and Recreation (P) in the Town of Vermilion Land Use Bylaw. . No person shall keep Livestock, other than for the purpose ofa rodeo sanctioned by the Canadian Rodeo Association or similar organizations. . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.4, an Owner may ride or drive a horse: 8.5.1. In the Yown for the purpose of operating a business during the normal operating hours ofthat s : g business; 8.5.2. in the Town for the purpose of attending arodco in the Town sanctioned bv the Canadian Rodeo Association or similar organizations; or 8.5.3. In the Town on roadwavs and desionated nublic lande far Dabalancl Callan sed fe avebautend one! . Notwithstanding anything in this Bylaw, an Owner may keep Livestock in the "Town temporarily when such Livestock is contined in a vehicle Intended for the transportation of Livestock and such ychicle Is in transit through the Town. . Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.4 herein, the CAO from time to time authorize the temporary presence of Livestock or other animals in the Town for the purpose of grazing, fairs, or other special events. . Notwithstanding the provisions ofSection 8.4 and 8.13 herein, any person legally keeping or harboring Livestock, or Domestic Animals in excess of the allowed number, prior to the g enactment of this Bylaw or any subsequent amendments to this Bylaw will be permitted to continue existing operations. This Section shall apply only to those lands annexed by the Town subsequent to the enactment ofthis Bylaw. . No action shall be taken against any person acting under the authority of this Bylaw for damages, injury, destruction or other disposal of any Domestic Animal captured, impounded or otherwise in the care of the Town. 8.10. Any person who shall hinder, delay or obstruct any person or persons engaged in enforcing any provision of this Bylaw, or impounding any Domestic Animal liable to be impounded under the provisions of this Bylaw, shall, for each and every hindrance, delay or obstruction, be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a fine as provided in Schedule 'C attached hereto. 8.11. In addition to the foregoing the Owner of a Domestic Animal shall ensure that such Domestic Animal shall not generally become a public nuisance and specifically shall ensure that such Domestic Animal not: 8.11.1. bite, bark, snarl, growl, attack or run at any Person or animal; &S 8.11.2. bite, bark, snarl, growl, attack, run at or chase bicycles, automobiles or other vehicles; 8.11.3. upset any garbage receptacle or scatter the contents of any garbage receptacle. Ys g ye § 8.12. No residential houschold shall have more than five (5) Dogs, or five (5) Cats, or one (1) Restricted Dog or combination thereof to a maximum of five (5) Domestic Animals in total, g residing in any residential household within the own of Vermilion. 8.13. Service Dogs, when accompanied by their Owner, must be allowed to enter public premises unless otherwise prohibited by municipal, provincial, or federal legislation, including but not limited to the Alberta Health Act. 8.14. A Bylaw Enforcement Officer or Designated Officer may, alter reasonable notice has been given, or immediately if in the case of an emergency or extraordinary circumstances, enter any land or structure to carry out the ins} ection, remedy or enforcement action. 9. DISEASE CONTROL 9.1. In the event Council has reason to believe there is an outbreak or a threatened outbreak of rabies or any disease affecting any animal and which may be transmitted to human beings, Council may order and direct that all Owners shal! securely and effectively confine and quarantine every Domestic Animal under their control, and any animal found Running at Large in contravention of this order shall be impounded, quarantined and examined by a veterinarian. . When an Domestic Animal under quarantine has been diagnosed as rabid, or is suspected by a licensed veterinarian as being rabid, and dies while under such observation, the Pound Keeper shall immediately direct the Owner of such animal to the appropriate health department for pathological examination and shall notify the Public Health Officer of reports, human contacts and the diagnosis made of the suspected animal. . During a period of rabies quarantine as herein mentioned, every Domestic Animal bitten by an g ) } animal adjudged to be rabid shall be forthwith euthanized, or at the Owner's expense and option, £ shall be treated for rabies infection by a licensed veterinarian or held under quarantine by a licensed Veterinarian in the Same manner as other animals are quarantined. . Except as provided herein or in any other applicable legislation, no person shall kill, or cause to be killed, any rabid animal, any Domestic Animal suspected of having been exposed to rabies, or any animal which has bitten a human, or remove the same from the 'Town without written permission from the Pound Keeper. . The carcass of any dead Domestic Animal exposed to rabies shall, upon demand, be surrendered to the Pound Keeper. . The Pound Keeper shall direct the disposition of any Domestic Animal found to be infected with rabies. . When, in the judgment of a licensed veterinarian an impounded Domestic Animal should be euthanized for humane reasons, such animal shall be euthanized. . No Person shall knowingly bring into or keep in the Town or allow to be brought into or kept in the Town a Domestic Animal having an infectious disease posing a danger of scrious illness to other animals or humans. . Where a Domestic Animal in the Town shows symptoms of discasc, the CAO or Designated Officer may in writing require the Keeper of that animal to: 9.9.1. in respect of any Domestic Animal, produce a veterinarian's statement confirming that the animal is not contagious; or 9.9.2. in the case of a Dog or a Cat, produce a veterinarian's certilicate or other evidence that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies, distemper or parvo virus; and any Owner who fails to produce such statement or certificate not more than 96 (ninety-six) hours after being required in writing to do so by the CAO or designate shall be guilty of an > q o 7 Neal > / offence and liable upon conviction to a fine as provided in Schedule 'C' attached hereto. 10. PENALTIES 10.1. Any person who contravenes this Bylaw is guilty of an offence. 10.2. People who have contravened certain sections of this Bylaw shall be liable for the penalties set out in such section or set out in Schedule "C" hereto. 10.3. A notice or form commonly called a Notice of Violation having printed wording approved by the CAO, may be issued by a Bylaw Enforcement Officer or a Designated Officer to any person alleged to have breached any provision of this Bylaw, and the said notice shall require the payment to the Town of Vermilion in the amount specified in Schedule "C" hereto. 10.4. ASummary Offence Ticket or a Violation Ticket shall be deemed to be sufficiently served: 10.4.1.1. | if served personally on the accused; or 10.4.1.2. if mailed to the address of the person accused by regular mail. 10.5. The amounts specified in Schedule "C" hereto shal] be the specified penalties for the purposes of the Provincial Offences Procedures Act (Alberta) 11. NUMBER AND GENDER REFERENCES 11.1. All references in this Bylaw will be read with such changes in number and gender as may be appropriate according to whether the reference is to a male or female person, or a corporation or partnership . 12. SEVERABILITY 12.1. Every provision of this Bylaw is independent of all other provisions and if any provision of this Bylaw is declared invalid for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, all other provisions of this Bylaw shall remain valid and enforceable. This Bylaw shall come into force and effect upon the final passing thereof. The following Bylaws and all amendments thereto are hereby repealed: e Bylaw 6-2024 INTRODUCED AND READa first time this 17" day of February, 2026, A.D. READa sccond time this 03" day of March, 2026, A.D. READa third time this 03" day of March, 2026 A.D. _SAW Chief Administrative Officer SCHEDULE "A" Definitions | A Person appointed by the Vown 'pursuant to the Town Bylaws, Including a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and, when authorized, a Community Peace Officer Bylaw Enforcement Officer ; i . appointed under the Peace Officer Act S.A. 2006, c. P-3.5, as amended or repealed and replaced from time to time. A Domestic Animal of the Feline family. The Town of Vermilion in the Province of Alberta. » The Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Vermilion. AO ouncil The municipal Council of the Town of Vermilion. : Any Person who has been appointed a Bylaw Enforcement esignated Officer 2 . aan ; Officer, a Peace Officer, or anv member of the RCMP. -In respect ofaDomestic Animal, and an animal which is: oi deprived of adequate food, water, care or sheltcr; Distress li. injured, sick, in pain suffering; or iti. abused or subjected to undue hardship, privation of negle t. A Domestic animal of the Canine family. Ananimal ofa species of vertebrates or invertebrates that has been -c Ani , domesticated by humans to live and breed in tame condition or omestic Anima . . . Lp. depend upon humankind for survival and not classified as livestock. An act or deed which is not malicious by nature, but which Harm-Inadvertent/ results in or could; injure, hurt or otherwise injure, harm or Unintentional kill an Animal. To deliberately or willfully, and with malicious intent, Harm - ' ° Nevlect/Deliberate injure, hurt or otherwise harm or kill any Animal. gle ; ; Intact Dog or Cat Any Dog or Cat that has not been spaved or neutered. § > g pay In Heat The period of time when an animal is fertile. To own, harbour or have control or custody of a Domestic Animal or other animal. A person, who owns, possesses, harbours, maintains or has Keeper control or custody ofaDomestic Animal or other animal. l ; A facility for breeding or keeping of Dogs or Cats for Kennel / © ping iS commercial purposes Cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens or other animals ivestock commonly kept ona farm and/or for agricultural purposes. ! y Kep / g pur] A ticket or similar document issued by the Town alleging a . . . bylaw offence and providing a Person with the opportunity Notice of Violation oO . oot pay an amount to the Town in lieu of prosecution for the offence. Any written notice or letter that requires a Person to rem edy a contravention of this Bylaw. Any Keeper ofa Dog or Cat or other Domestic Animal. s Any individual, a group of individuals, a corporation, firm, partnership, proprietorship, association, society or co- operative organization. In respect ofaDomestic Animal, the animal is: i. under immediate ellective control of some person and " restrained by a leash not exceeding three {3) meters in length; or hysical Control ll. kept ina container, an enclosure ora motor vehicle; or iii. in the case ofaDog, kept temporarily and in the presence of the Owner in an area designated by the Town as an area Dogs may be unleashed. > Sucha place as may, from time to time, be established by the ound » CAO for the impounding and keeping of Domestic Animals. Pouna Keeper A Person appointed by the CAQ for the purpose of Administrating the Pound. estricted Dog ; Section 7.8 of this Bylaw. ; Any Dog determined by the CAO to require restrictions under Any Dog, Cat or other Domestic Animal not under the physical Run at Large control ofa responsible and competent person when off the I property of the Owner or Kee A type of assistance dog specifically trained for public access to do tasks that mitigate the disability of their person, - Service Dog - including but not limited to: i. visual difficulties; or ii, hearing impairments. A disc or other shape of metal or plastic which is securely ' affixed 10 a Dog or Cat's collar or other restraining device, and which contains, at a minimum, a legible and operational phone number of the Owner or where the Owner can be contacted. i. Any Incident in which, without provocation, any Dog ! while not on the property of itsOwner bites any Person. or Unprovoked Attack li. Any incident in which, without provocation, any Dog, while on the property of its Owner bites any Person who should reasonably expect safe and lawful entry to that property. A Dog of any age or breed which when on or off the property g ¥ ag property of its Owner or Keeper: i. shows without provocation, a propensity, disposition or potential to attack or injure other animals or humans; Vicious Dog ii. without provocation, chases people who approach it; ig ' I Pl ; iii. poses a continuing threat of serious harm to other animals or humans; or iv. Without provocation, it has attacked other persons or animals. As defined by the Provincial Offences Procedure Act (Alberta), as amended from time to time. Violation Ticket Item Impound Fees 13 SCHEDULE "B" Fees Descripti on Amount Upon impoundment. $75.00 Each day subsequent to $50.00 impoundment. | SECTION 5.1 5.3 previous offences. 14 SCHEDULE "C" Penalties OFFENCE : Owner failing to Keep a Domestic Animal under Ph vsical Control. Permittinga Kennel on residential property. | Second Offence within 365 days of a previous offe 1ce. - Third and Subsequent offence within 365 days of any two previous offences. Owner allowing a Dog or Cat to Run at Large. Second offence ' within 365 days ofa previous offence. Third and Subsequent offence within 365 days of any two Owner permitting a Dog or Cat to run at or attack /bite a person. Owner permitting a Dog or Cat to run at or attack a person- Second Offence within 12 months. Owner permitting a Dog or Cat to chase, threaten a person or bite another animal. Owner permitting a Dog or or bite another animal - second offence within 12 months. Fail to comply with an order pursuant to Section 5.6. per day. Cat lo chase, threaten a person + Owner failing to ensure a female Dog or Cat in Heat Is not an attractant to other animals. Owner of an animal which defecates on any public or private Property failing to immediately remove such defecation. _. Owner permitting a Dog or Private property. Owner permitting a Dogtobark or howlexcessively. Cat to damage public or Owner permits an animalto disturb the quiet of any person. POUND Improperly removing or attempting to remove a Domestic Animal from the Possession of the Pound Kecper. RESTRICTED DOGS Owner fails to properly confine a Restricted Dog. When off his premises, Owner fails to securely muzzle a Restricted Dog, and harness or leash it securely so as to maintain Immediate physical control and to effectively prevent such Dog from attacking or biting any person or animal. Owner allowing a Restricted Docito Run at Large. Owner fails to prevent a Restricted Dog from attacking ans person in any place in the Town. Owner fails to satisly the requirements oforder issued pursuant to Section 7.9. CONTROL OF OTHER ANIMALS Keeping Domestic Animal contrary, the provisions of this Bylaw. Inadvertent /Unintentional harm to an animal. Neglect /Deliberate harm to an animal. Allowing a Domestic Animal to become a public FINE | $50.00 $500.00 $750.00 $1,000.00 $75.00 $100.00 $150.00 $300.00 $2500.00 $250.00 $500.00 $100.00 $100.00 "$100.00 $150.00 $100.00 $100.00 $500.00 * $2,500.00 $2,500.00 : $2,500.00 $5,000.00 $250.00 $100.00 $500.00 $2,500.00 § 100.00 nuisance. Keeping more than five Dogs, or five Cats, or one Restricted Dog or combination thereol to a maximum of tive Domestic Animals in total in any residential household. : RABIES OR OTHER DISEASES Failing to obey a Council Order under Section 9.1. Each contravention of any Section 9.2 to 9.9 inclusive. UNSPECIFIED PENALTIES Any contravention of this Bylaw not specilicd in Schedule "C". , $250.00 $1,000.00 $500.00 $100.00