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Village of Muenster
BYLAW No. 8/2025
The Animal Control Bylaw
A BYLAW OF THE VILLAGE OF MUENSTER TO LICENSE AND REGULATE LICENSING OF
PETS, CATS AND DOGS AND THE RUNNING AT LARGE OF ANIMALS.
________________________________________________________________________
WHEREAS the Village of Muenster is empowered by section 8 (1)(k) of the Municipalities Act
to regulate and control persons owning or harbouring any animal within the Village of Muenster;
the Council of the Village of Muenster enacts as follows:
PART I - TITLE
1. This Bylaw may be referred to as "The Animal Control Bylaw".
PART II - PURPOSE
2. The purpose of this Bylaw is to:
a) promote the health, safety, protection and welfare of people and the protection of
property;
b) ensure the humane treatment of domestic animals;
c) regulate and prohibit the keeping of dangerous animals within the Village; and
d) to provide for the licensing of dogs and cats.
PART III - DEFINITIONS
3. For the purpose of this bylaw the expression(s):
a) "Animal" means and includes every male and female of the feline and canine family;
b) An "Animal Control Officer or Warden" or "Bylaw Enforcement Officer" is any
corporation, person or persons engaged by or appointed by the Village of Muenster for
the purposes of bylaw enforcement and to restrain, receive or impound animals under
the provisions of this bylaw;
c) "Municipality" shall mean the Village of Muenster;
d) A "judge" means a judge of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan or a justice of the
peace;
e) An "owner" includes:
i) A person who keeps, possesses or harbours an animal to which the Bylaw applies;
A 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:
ii) A veterinarian registered pursuant to The Veterinarians Act, 1987 who is keeping or
harbouring an animal to which this Bylaw applies for the impoundment of the animal
or for the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of a disease or injury to the animal;
iii) An animal shelter or pound operated by the Village of Muenster or the SPCA;
f) "Running at Large" shall mean when the animal is beyond the boundaries of the land
occupied by the owner, possessor or harbourer of the said animal, or beyond the
boundaries of any lands where it may be with the permission of the owner or occupant
of the said land and when it is not under control by being:
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i) Direct and continuous charge of a person competent to control it; or
ii) Securely confined within an enclosure; or
iii) Securely fastened so it cannot roam at will.
g) A "provocation" means an act done intentionally for the purpose of provoking and
animal to which this Bylaw applies.
h) A "poundkeeper" means a person designated by the Village to administer the pound.
PART IV - GENERAL PROVISIONS
4. a) Every person within the municipality who owns, possesses, or harbors and animal over
six months shall obtain a license from the clerk.
b) The license shall be in effect from January 1 to December 31 of a calendar year, and
shall be obtained on or before January 31.
c) The license fee shall be:
i) The sum payable for a license required after July 1 shall be three fifths for a full year.
5. Every person to whom a license has been issued under this bylaw shall cause his/her
animal to wear a collar to which shall be attached the license tag issued by the municipality
pursuant to this bylaw.
6. A person residing in the municipality who owns, possesses, or harbours an animal, and
neglects or refuses to take out a license therefore shall be deemed guilty of an infraction of
this bylaw.
PART V - RUNNING AT LARGE
7. No animal shall run at large in the municipality
a) No barrier free fence control methods are allowed. Animals must be contained by a
physical barrier or a leash.
8. A person who owns, possesses or harbors an animal found running at large shall be
deemed guilty of an infraction of this bylaw.
PART VI - SEISURE OF ANIMALS AND POUND FEES
9. Any person may take any animal found running at large contrary to the provisions of this
bylaw, to the municipal pound or Animal Management Services in Humboldt, where it shall
be kept for three days unless the owner, possessor or harbourer redeems the animal by
paying the clerk of the Village of Muenster the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and by also
paying all impounding costs and expenses at Animal Management Services in Humboldt.
10. a) The clerk may sell any animal which is not redeemed within three days, provided that
the purchaser thereof obtains a license if he/she is a resident of the municipality.
b) The poundkeeper, or at his request, any other person may destroy any animal which
has not been redeemed within three days.
PART VII - NUISANCE
11. a) No owner of a dog or cat shall permit the dog or cat to create a disturbance by ululating,
by loud or frequent barking, howling or yelping or chasing motor or other vehicles or in
any manner or way, create a disturbance to the annoyance or discomfort of other
Cost:
For each animal
$10.00
For each neutered animal
$10.00
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persons residing in the neighborhood, or to the public at large; or which causes injury
to any person. For the purpose of this section a dog or cat is creating a disturbance if
its ululating can be easily heard by a person not situated on the property where the dog
or cat is.
b) On a complaint made in writing to the Bylaw Enforcement Officer that any dog or cat
has been causing a disturbance, the Bylaw Enforcement Officer, upon being satisfied
of the truth of the complaint, may notify the owner of such dog or cat to abate the
nuisance within 48 hours after receipt of the notice. The notice shall be in writing and
shall be served personally upon the owner or left with some adult person at the
residence of the owner. Failure to comply with the terms of the notice shall be a breach
of this Bylaw.
c) Upon receiving a second or subsequent complaint within 30 days after the expiry of the
48-hour period set out in a notice under subsection (b), the Bylaw Enforcement Officer
may order the owner to destroy the dog or cat, remove the dog or cat from the Village
or deliver the dog or cat to the Bylaw Enforcement Officer within 48 hours of receipt of
the notice. Such notice shall be provided in the manner set out in subsection (b). In
the event that the notice requires the dog or cat to be delivered up to the Bylaw
Enforcement Officer and the dog or cat is not so delivered, the Bylaw Enforcement
Officer may enter on the property of the owner for the purpose of removing such dog or
cat.
PART VIII - LITTER
12. If a dog or cat defecates on any public or private property other than the property of its
owner, the owner of the dog or cat shall cause such defecation to be removed immediately
and dispose of the litter in a sanitary fashion. Failure to cause such removal shall be a
breach of this Bylaw.
PART IX - RESTRICTED DOGS
13.
Any "dangerous dog" defined below:
(i)
Any dog that, without provocation, in a vicious or menacing manner, chases or
approaches a person or domestic animal in an apparent attitude of attack;
(ii) Any dog, whatever its age, with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to
attack without provocation, to cause injury to or otherwise threaten the safety of
persons or domestic animals;
(iii) Any dog that, without provocation, has bitten, inflicted injury, assaulted or
otherwise attacked a person or domestic animal;
(iv) Any dog which is owned primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or is
trained for fighting;
(v) Any dog that, without provocation, threatens or creates reasonable apprehension
of a threat to other animals or humans.
PART X - DANGEROUS ANIMAL HEARINGS
14. a) If a complaint is made that an animal 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.
b) Notice of the hearing referred to in subsection a) shall be served upon the owner of the
animal. The notice shall be served:
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i) in the case of an owner who is an individual:
(i) by delivering it personally to the owner; or by sending it by registered mail to
the registered address of the owner;
(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;
ii) 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.
c) 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.
d) If a judge declares an animal to be dangerous, the judge shall:
(a) make an order embodying one or more of the following requirements, as the judge
considers appropriate:
(i) the owner shall keep the animal in an enclosure that complies with
prescribed criteria;
(ii) if the owner removes the animal from the enclosure, the owner shall
muzzle and leash it in accordance with prescribed criteria and keep it
under the owner's direct control and supervision;
(iii) the owner shall obtain and keep in effect liability insurance in the prescribed
amount of $50,000 to cover damage or injury caused by the animal;
(iv) the owner shall display a sign, in the prescribed form and manner, on his or her
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;
(v) the owner shall comply with the regulations and the Health of Animals Act
(Canada) with respect to the detection and control of rabies;
(vi) if the animal is moved to any other municipality, the owner shall notify the
designated officer in the other municipality;
(vii) if the animal is to be sold or given away, the owner shall:
(a) notify any prospective owner that the animal has been declared
dangerous, before it is sold or given away; and
(b) notify the designated officer in the municipality of the name, address and
telephone number of any new owner of the animal;
(viii) the owner shall have the animal tattooed in the prescribed manner;
(ix) the owner shall have the animal spayed or neutered;
(x) the owner shall take any other measures that the judge considers appropriate;
or
(xi) order that the animal be destroyed or otherwise disposed of at the owner's
expense and shall, in that case, give directions with respect to the destruction
or other disposition.
Execution of Destruction Order
15. (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
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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 payment
of the payment of the costs of impoundment of the animal pending the hearing.
Return of Animal
16. 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.
PART XI - CHARGES ADDED TO TAX ROLL
17. As per Section 369 of The Municipalities Act, any unpaid expenses and costs incurred by
the municipality that an order given under this Bylaw is fully complied with may be
recovered either;
- by civil action for debt in a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with The
Municipalities Act; or,
-
by adding the amount to the taxes on the property of the owner of the dangerous animal
in question regarding any noncompliance of this Bylaw.
PART XII - LIMITS ANIMALS
18. No person shall, within the Village of Muenster, harbor or keep more than two (2) animals
on any one property.
PART XIII - CONTROL AND REGULATION OF EXOTIC, FARM AND WILD ANIMALS
19. a) No person shall own or harbour any animal, or hybrid of any animal, of the kind listed in
Schedule No. 1 attached hereto for any purpose.
b) No person, partnership or corporation, whether operated separately or in connection
with another business enterprise, shall operate a pet store that buys, sells, trades,
exhibits or harbours any animal or hybrid of any animal of the kind listed in Schedule
No. 2.
20. Section 19 (a) does not apply to prohibit the harbouring of an animal or a hybrid of an animal
of the kind listed in paragraphs (r) and (s) of Schedule No. 2 on property owned by a school
division where such animals are being kept for study or teaching purposes.
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PART XIV- PENALTIES
21. Any person who contravenes the provisions of this bylaw or neglects or refuses to comply
therewith shall be guilty of an offense and liable upon summary conviction to a fine of not
less than $25.00 and not more than $2,000.00. In the case of a corporation, to a fine of not
less than the mandatory minimum fine prescribed in Schedule No. 3 and not more than
$5,000. This person or corporation, upon being served with a violation ticket, may
voluntarily pay to avoid prosecution the prescribed penalty at the Village of Muenster Office
during regular office hours.
22. a) A person who contravenes any of the provisions of this bylaw, shall be guilty of an
offense and upon conviction shall be liable to a penalty of the fees attached thereto in
Schedule # 3 attached:
b) A violator of this bylaw, upon being served with a Notice of Violation, may, during office
hours, voluntarily pay the penalty at the Municipal Office, and upon payment as so
provide, that person shall not be liable to prosecution of the offence.
c) the Notice of Violation shall be in Schedule #2 attached to and forming part of this bylaw.
PART XV - COMING INTO FORCE
23. This Bylaw shall come into force on the day of its final passing.
PART XVI - REPEAL
22. This Bylaw shall hereby repeal the Village of Muenster's Bylaw #2/2022
Read a first time this _____ day of ________.
Read a second time this _____ day of ________.
Read a third time and passed this ______ day of _______.
Signature:_________________________________
Mayor
Signature: ________________________________
Chief Administrative Officer
SEAL
Date:______________________
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Schedule #1 Prohibited Animals
The following is a list of animals the keeping of which is prohibited within the Village of
Muenster:
a) Any "dangerous dog" defined below:
-
Any dog that, without provocation, in a vicious or menacing manner, chases or
approaches a person or domestic animal in an apparent attitude of attack;
-
Any dog, whatever its age, with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack
without provocation, to cause injury to or otherwise threaten the safety of persons or
domestic animals;
-
Any dog that, without provocation, has bitten, inflicted injury, assaulted or otherwise
attacked a person or domestic animal;
-
Any dog which is owned primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or is trained
for fighting;
-
Any dog that, without provocation, threatens or creates reasonable apprehension of a
threat to other animals or humans.
b) All Arachnids dangerous to humans (such as scorpions and tarantulas, except tarantulas
of the genera Aphonopelma, Avicularia and Grammostola);
c) All Artiodactylus Ungulates (such as goats, sheep, cattle, pigs and llamas)
d) All Bats;
e) All Canids, except the domestic dog;
f) All Felids, except the domestic cat;
g) All Mustelids (such as skunks, weasels, otters and badgers) except the domestic ferret
h) All Perissodactylus Ungulates (such as horses, donkeys, mules and asses);
i) All Procyonids (such as raccoons, coatis and cacomistles);
j) All Raptors, diurnal and nocturnal (such as eagles, hawks and
owls);
k) All Galliformes (such as chickens, turkeys, grouse, quails and
pheasants);
p) All Anseriformes (such as ducks and geese)
x) All snakes of the families Phythonidae and Boidae;
y) All venomous Reptiles and Amphibians;
Examples of animals of a
particular prohibited group
are given in parentheses.
They are examples only
and shall not be construed
as limiting the generality of
the group.
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Village of Muenster Schedule #2 Notice of Violation Form
Notice of Violation of Animal Control Bylaw
This official Notice of Violation is issued for breach of Bylaw #8/2025 (The Animal Control Bylaw)
Offence Office File Reference
Number: yyyy-mm-dd-#0X
Bylaw Section
Part IV 4a) Failure to license an animal
Date of Offence: ___________
Part IV 5 Failure to display license
Date of Offence: ___________
Part V Running at Large
Date of Offence: ___________
Part VII Barking, Howling or Nuisance
Date of Offence: ___________
Part VIII Failure to remove feces
Date of Offence: ___________
Other: ____________________
Date of Offence: ___________
Penalty and Payments Important: Return this stub with payment.
Office File Reference Number:___________ Amount Owed $ _________________
Penalty may be paid in person via cash or cheque at the Muenster Village Office at #306 Railway St,
Muenster, Sask. on any day during office hours (Tues, Wed, Thurs 8:30 am - 3:30pm) OR by mail to Village
of Muenster, Box 95, Muenster, Sask. S0K 2Y0 AND must be accompanied by this stub.
After Hours Deposit Slot also available to the right of the entrance door to the Muenster Village Office located
at #305 Railway St. Clearly indicate what the payment is for by including this stub.
Etransfer payments accepted. Forward payments to : [email protected]
If the penalty indicated above is not received by ____________________(date) a summons required for
your appearance in Court may be issued.
I
Date
Time
License #)
Name of Owner
Address
Phone #
Description of
Animal -
Color/Breed/
Male/Female
Location of
Offence
Ticket
Issuer
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Schedule #3 Fines Schedule Pursuant to Section Part XIV - Penalties
Offence
Minimum Fine
1st Offence
2nd
Offence
Subsequent
Part IV Failure to license dog or cat -- License
Sec 5,6
$25
$25
$25
Part V Cat or dog at large -- At Large
$50
$200
$300
Part VI Impoundment -* Note Fees are in
addition to any impound costs and expenses
incurred at Animal Management Services in
Humboldt.
$50
$200
$300
- Part VII Cat or dog creating a nuisance by
barking or howling - Nuisance
$50
$100
$200
Part VIII - Litter Failure to immediately remove
dog or cat excrement (defecation) from public or
provide property other than the property of the dog
or cat's owner -
$50
$100
$200
Part X - Dangerous Animal
Hearing in Court. Judge determines
penalty/penalties: Full fence enclosure,
muzzle, leash, liability insurance, sign,
notification to new communities or new
owner, tatoo, spay/neuter, destruction of
animal.