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THE CITY OF MELFORT
BYLAW NO. 03-04
The Dangerous Animals Bylaw, 2003
The Council of the City of Melfort, in the Province of Saskatchewan, in open assembly enacts
as follows:
Short Title
1.
This Bylaw may be cited as The Dangerous Animals Bylaw, 2003.
Purpose
2.
The purpose of this Bylaw is to promote the safety, health and welfare of people and the
protection of people and property in the City of Melfort and to ensure the humane
treatment of animals by regulating and prohibiting the keeping of dangerous animals
within the City.
Definitions
3.
In this Bylaw:
(a)
A City means the City of Melfort;
(b)
A judge means a judge of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan or a justice
of the peace;
(c)
An owner includes:
(i)
a person who keeps, possesses or harbours an animal to which this
Bylaw applies;
(ii)
the person responsible for the custody of a minor where the minor is
the owner of an animal to which this Bylaw applies;
but does not include:
(iii)
a veterinarian registered pursuant to The Veterinarians Act, 1987 who
is keeping or harbouring an animal to which this Bylaw applies for the
impoundment, prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease or injury
to the animal;
Bylaw No. 03-04 The Dangerous Animals Bylaw
Page 2
(iv)
the City or the Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals with respect to an animal shelter or impoundment facility
operated by either of them;
(d)
A provocation means an act done intentionally for the purpose of provoking
an animal to which this Bylaw applies.
Application
4.
This Bylaw shall apply to domestic cats and dogs in the City.
Dangerous Animals
5.
(1)
An animal is dangerous where it is proved that:
(a)
the animal, without provocation, in a vicious or menacing manner, chased or
approached a person or domestic animal in an apparent attitude of attack;
(b)
the animal has a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack without
provocation, to cause injury or to otherwise threaten the safety of persons or
domestic animals;
(c)
the animal has, without provocation, bitten, inflicted injury, assaulted or
otherwise attacked a person or domestic animal.
(2)
For the purposes of this Section, an animal is presumed not to have been
provoked, in the absence of evidence to the contrary.
Exemption for Guard Dogs
6.
No dog shall be considered dangerous where an action described in clause 5(1)(a),
(b) or (c) occurred while the dog was:
(a) acting in the performance of police work; or
(b) working as a guard dog on commercial property:
(i)
securely enclosed on property by a fence or other barrier sufficient to
prevent the escape of the dog and the entry of children of tender years;
and
(ii)
defending that property against a person who was committing an offence.
Fighting Dogs Considered Dangerous
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Page 3
7.
Notwithstanding the generality of Section 5, a dog is dangerous where it is proved
that the dog is owned primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or is trained
for dog fighting.
Dangerous Animal Hearings
8.
(1)
If, after carrying out an investigation, the Dog Catcher is of the opinion that a
hearing should be held to determine whether a dog is dangerous, a judge shall
hold a hearing to determine if, based upon the evidence adduced at the hearing,
the animal is, in fact, dangerous.
(2)
Notice of the hearing referred to in subsection (1) shall be served upon the owner
of the animal. The notice shall be served:
(a)
in the case of an owner who is an individual:
(i)
by delivering it personally to the owner; or
(ii)
if the owner cannot conveniently be found by leaving it for the owner at
the owner's residence with a person at that residence who appears to
be at least 18 years of age;
(b)
in the case of an owner that is a corporation:
(i)
by sending it by registered mail to the registered office of the
corporation; or
(ii)
by delivering it personally to the manager, secretary or other executive
officer of the corporation or the person in charge of any office or other
place where the corporation carries on business in Saskatchewan.
(3)
Where an owner does not appear at the time and place appointed for the hearing
after having been notified of that time or place, the judge may proceed ex parte to
hear and determine the proceedings in the absence of the owner as fully and
effectively as if the owner had appeared.
(4)
If the judge is satisfied, on the evidence, that the animal is dangerous, the judge
shall make an order embodying all of the following terms:
(a)
if the owner removes the animal from the owner's property, the owner shall
muzzle and leash it in accordance with the criteria prescribed in Section 17
and keep it under direct control and supervision;
(b)
the owner shall inoculate the animal against rabies in accordance with the
provisions of Section 18;
Bylaw No. 03-04 The Dangerous Animals Bylaw
Page 4
(c)
the owner shall report the sale or other disposition of the animal to a
designated officer appointed pursuant to Section 24;
(d)
where the animal is moved to a different city or municipality, the owner shall
notify the clerk of that city or municipality;
(e)
where the animal is to be sold or given away, the owner shall:
(i)
notify any prospective owner that the animal has been declared
dangerous, before it is sold or given away; and
(ii)
notify a designated officer appointed pursuant to Section 24 of the
name, address and telephone number of any new owner of the animal;
(f)
if the animal is unlicensed, the owner shall, at the owner's expense and
within ten days of the date of the order, purchase the requisite license for
the animal;
(g)
the owner shall have the animal micro chipped in accordance with Section
19.
(5)
An order pursuant to subsection (4) may also include any or all of the following
terms:
(a)
the owner shall keep the animal in an enclosure which complies with the
criteria prescribed in Section 20;
(b)
the owner shall obtain and keep in effect liability insurance in an amount of
not less than $300,000.00 for any bodily injury to or death of any person or
domestic animal, or for damage to property, caused by the animal;
(c)
the owner shall display a sign, which complies with the criteria prescribed in
Section 21, on the owner's property warning of the presence of the animal
and shall continue to display that sign in good condition so long as the
animal is present on the property;
(d)
the owner shall have the animal spayed or neutered;
(e)
the owner shall take such other measures as the judge considers
appropriate.
(6)
Notwithstanding subsection (4), a judge may, in the alternative, order that the
animal be destroyed or otherwise disposed of at the owner's expense and shall
give directions with respect to the destruction or other disposition.
(7)
Where an order has been made pursuant to subsection (5) against the owner, the
owner may apply to the judge who made the order for an order that compliance
with the provisions of clause (5)(b) be waived.
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(8)
On an application pursuant to subsection (7), the judge may waive compliance
with clause (5)(b), on any terms and conditions that the judge considers
reasonable, where the judge is satisfied that the owner is unable to comply with
the requirements of that clause for a reason other than the owner's financial
circumstances.
(9)
A person desiring to appeal an order purs uant to this Section shall, within seven
days of the order being appealed from, file a notice of appeal with Her Majesty's
Court of Queen's Bench, and the provisions of Part XXVII of the Criminal Code
apply with any necessary modification.
Offences and Penalties
9.
(1)
Any person who owns a dog for the purpose of dog fighting, or trains, torments,
badgers baits or otherwise uses a dog for the purpose of causing or
encouraging the dog to make unprovoked attacks on persons or domestic
animals is guilty of an offence.
(2)
Any person who displays a prescribed sign warning of the presence of a
dangerous animal and who is not acting in accordance with an order made
pursuant to subsection 8(5) or has not received the permission of the City to
display the sign is guilty of an offence.
(3)
Any person who does not comply with any part of an order made against him or
her pursuant to subsection 8(4), (5) or (6) is guilty of an offence.
(4)
Any person who owns an animal that, without provocation, attacks, assaults,
wounds, bites, injures or kills a person or domestic animal, is guilty of an offence.
(5)
A person who is guilty of an offence pursuant to this Section is liable on summary
conviction:
(a)
in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding $10,000.00, or
imprisonment for not more than one year, or both;
(b)
in the case of a corporation, to a fine not exceeding $25,000.00, or
imprisonment of the directors of the corporation for not more than one year,
or both.
(6)
In addition to imposing the penalty under subsection (5), the convicting judge shall
make an order embodying the requirements of subsection 8(4).
(7)
An order pursuant to subsection (6) may also include the requirements of
subsection 8(5).
(8) Notwithstanding subsection (6), the judge may, in the alternative, order that the
animal be destroyed or otherwise disposed of at the owner's expense and shall
give directions with respect to the destruction or other disposition.
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Page 6
(9)
A person desiring to appeal an order or c onviction pursuant to this Section shall,
within seven days of the order or conviction being appealed f rom, file a notice of
appeal with the Court, and the provisions of Part XXVII of the Criminal Code apply
with any necessary modification.
Order Binds Subsequent Owner
10.
An order issued pursuant to Section 8 or 9 continues to apply if the animal is sold or
given to a new owner or is moved to a different municipality.
Execution of Destruction Order
11.
(1)
Unless the owner otherwise agrees, every order for destruction of an animal
shall state that it shall not be implemented for eight days.
(2)
Where an appeal is taken against an order for the destruction of an animal, the
application of the order is stayed pending the disposition of the appeal.
(3)
Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, the owner shall be responsible for the
payment of the costs of impoundment of the animal pending the hearing.
Return of Animal
12.
Where the judge on appeal overturns the order for destruction of the animal, the
animal shall be released to the owner after the owner has paid the costs of
impoundment of the animal pending the hearing.
Civic Action by Victim Against Dog Owner
13.
In an action brought to recover damages for injuries to persons or property caused by a
dog, it is not necessary for the person injured to prove that the dog is, or that the owner
knew that the dog was, of a dangerous or mischievous nature or is accustomed to doing
acts causing injury.
Destruction by Peace Officers
14.
(1)
A peace officer as defined by the Criminal Code may destroy any animal that
the officer finds injuring or viciously attacking a person or domestic animal.
(2)
Where the officer acted in good faith, a peace officer who destroys an animal
pursuant to subsection (1) is not liable to the owner for the value of the animal.
Bylaw No. 03-04 The Dangerous Animals Bylaw
Page 7
Entry and Search
15.
If a peace officer as defined by the Criminal Code or a designated officer has
reasonable grounds to believe that an animal that is dangerous or has been ordered
to be destroyed or otherwise disposed of is in or on any premises, the peace officer
or designated officer may enter the premises and search for and impound the animal
in accordance with Section 327 of The Cities Act.
Charges May Be Added to Property Taxes
16.
(1)
If a person owes the City for costs incurred by the City with respect to a
dangerous animal, the City may add the amount owing to the tax roll of any
parcel of land for which the person is the assessed person.
(2)
If an amount is added to the tax roll of a parcel of land pursuant to subsection (1),
the amount:
(a)
is deemed for all purposes to be a tax imposed pursuant to The Cities Act
from the date it was added to the tax roll; and
(b)
forms a lien against the parcel of land in favour of the City from the date it
was added to the tax roll.
Criteria for Muzzle and Leash for Dangerous Animals
17.
Where an animal that has been declared dangerous pursuant to Section 8 is
removed from the owner's property, the animal shall be equipped with a muzzle and
be secured by a leash in accordance with the following criteria:
(a)
the animal shall be fitted with a collar or harness for the body that is properly
placed and fitted on the animal;
(b)
the movement of the animal shall be controlled by a person by means of a
leash attached to the collar or harness of the animal;
(c)
the leash shall not exceed 1.2 metres in length and shall be constructed of a
material having a tensile strength of at least 40 kilograms;
(d)
the muzzle on the animal shall be property fitted on the animal to prevent it
from biting any animal or person;
(e)
the muzzle shall be fitted on the animal in a manner that it will not interfere
with the vision or respiration of the animal.
Inoculation of Animals
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18.
(1)
Where an animal has been declared to be dangerous pursuant to Section 8,
the owner of the animal shall, at the owner's expense and within ten days of
the date of the order of the judge declaring the animal to be dangerous, have
the animal inoculated against rabies by a veterinarian and provide proof to a
designated officer that the dog has been inoculated.
(2)
Where the owner of an animal provides proof that the animal has been inoculated
against rabies during the period of 12 months prior to the date of the order, the
owner is not required to comply with subsection (1) until the expiration of 12
months from the date of inoculation of the animal.
(3)
The owner of an animal shall have the animal inoculated within each 12-month
period following the inoculation mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) during the
lifetime of the animal.
Micro Chipping of Dangerous Animals
19.
Where an animal has been declared dangerous pursuant to Section 8, the owner of
the animal shall, at the owner's expense and within ten days of the date of the order,
cause the animal to be micro chipped by the Melfort Veterinary Clinic or the
Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Enclosures for Dangerous Animals
20.
If a judge orders pursuant to clause 8(5)(a) that an animal be kept in an enclosure, the
enclosure must comply with the following criteria:
(a)
the enclosure shall be constructed of wood or any other building material of
sufficient strength and in a manner adequate to:
(i)
confine the animal; and
(i)
prevent the entry of children of tender years;
(b)
the entrances and other areas by which entry to or exit from the enclosure
may be made shall be locked or fastened in a manner adequate to prevent
the animal from escaping from the enclosure;
(c)
the enclosure shall be at least 3 metres in length, 1.5 metres in width and
1.8 metres in height;
(d)
the enclosure shall have a top secured to the sides of the enclosure;
(e)
the enclosure shall:
(i)
have a floor secured to the sides of the enclosure; or
Bylaw No. 03-04 The Dangerous Animals Bylaw
Page 9
(ii)
the sides of the enclosure shall be embedded in the ground to a depth
of at least .6 metres;
(f)
the enclosure shall:
(i)
provide protection from the elements for the animal;
(ii)
provide adequate light and ventilation for the animal; and
(iii)
be kept in a sanitary and clean condition.
Signs
21.
(1)
Where an animal has been declared dangerous pursuant to Section 8, the
owner of the animal shall, within ten days of the date of the order of the judge
declaring the animal to be dangerous, display a sign on his or her premises
warning of the presence of the animal in the form illustrated in Appendix "A".
(2)
A sign required by subsection (1) shall be placed at each entrance to the premises
where the animal is kept and on the enclosure in which the animal is confined.
(3)
A sign required by subsection (1) shall be clearly visible and capable of being read
from any adjacent public road.
Quarantine of Animals
22.
Where an animal has bitten a person or domestic animal, the owner of the animal
shall, unless the animal is ordered destroyed, quarantine the animal for observation
for symptoms of rabies for a period of not less than ten days in accordance with the
Animal Disease and Protection Act (Canada).
Rabies Test of Animals
23.
(1)
Every person who destroys an animal following the non-fatal biting of a person
or domestic animal, whether the destruction is pursuant to an order of a judge
or court or at the decision of the owner of the animal, shall, if the destruction is
carried out before the completion of the quarantine period mentioned in Section
22, retain the head of the animal in a manner usable for testing the animal for
rabies.
(2)
Where a person destroys an animal in the circumstances described in subsection
(1), the person shall immediately notify a veterinarian or a peace officer that he or
she is in possession of the head of an animal to be tested for rabies.
Appointment of Designated Officers
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24.
The City of Melfort Dog Catcher, the Veterinarians at the Melfort Veterinary Clinic
and the Saskatchewan Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shall be
designated officers for the purposes of this Bylaw.
Coming Into Force
25.
This Bylaw shall come into force on the day of its final passing.
Read a first time this 10th day of February, 2003.
Read a second time this 10th day of February, 2003.
Read a third time and passed this 10th day of February, 2003.
Mayor
City Clerk
SEAL
CERTIFIED a true copy of Bylaw No. 03-04
adopted by resolution of Council on the 10th
day of February, 2003.
________________________________
City Clerk
Appendix "A"
Section 21, Subsection 1, Bylaw #03-04