Dogs are a man’s best friend but dogs can also cause problems if they are not properly cared for and controlled.
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary Areas C and D, along with the cities of Greenwood and Grand Forks formulated Bylaw No. 1073 to provide licensing and control of dogs.
Licences are required for any dog over the age of four months and these licences may be purchased either at the regional district office in Grand Forks (2140 Central Avenue) or Grand Forks City Hall (7217 4th Street) The licensing year ends every Dec. 31.
No person shall permit any animal owned, housed or harboured by them or in their charge to:
- Allow the animal to run at large or stray in any area within the control area (eg. city or rural within the bylaw areas).
- Allow any animal to trespass on any private property within the control area.
- Own a diseased or vicious animal unless significantly controlled.
- Allow the animal to be on the highway, sidewalk, park or any other public area unless the animal is firmly held in place by a person competent to restrain the animal.
- The animal shall be on a leash that is not longer than 2.4 meters or retractable to no more then 8 metres when extended.
A person must not cause or allow any animal owned by that person, or under that person’s control, to be within the boundaries of James Donaldson, Dick Bartlett or Angus MacDonald parks.
The animal control officer may issue warning notices for an animal running at large and upon issuance of a third warning, a summons can be issued by means of a ticket in accordance with procedure set out in the Offence Act.
If an animal is found running at large, the control officer can impound the offending animal.
The impounded animal may be retrieved by paying of impounding fees and if no licence is held on that animal those fees will also be added on.
Owners are not allowed to retake or rescue their animal captured by the control officer until it is within the confines of the shelter and properly processed and fees are paid.
Owners of an animal at large who is causing actual damages, i.e. injuring or killing another animal, shall be liable for these damages.
Also note that if the offending animal is found causing damage to animals within private property, the owner of the property is allowed to destroy the offending animal.
A vicious dog means any dog that has attacked, bitten or intended to bite or attack or chase a person or wildlife.
A pit bull terrier, American pit bull terrier , pit bull Staffordshire, bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier or any dog of mixed breeding included with any of the aforementioned shall at all times keep the vicious animal(s) confined indoors or in an enclosed pen or structure capable of preventing entry by young children and capable of preventing the animal from escaping.
These are some of the highlights from the control bylaw. The entire bylaw can be found at rdkb.com.
Remember that when you bring your animal to exercise them on the trails or in the open country, you are to keep that animal leashed and remove the feces. You are in someone’s backyard and the owners of these properties do not appreciate having to clean up after your dog.
The animal control officer does routine checks in all areas within his control area. You may not see him regularly because he varies his route and times. If you have a complaint regarding an animal at large or have an encounter with a stray, please contact Craig Caruso at 250-584-9398 this is not a long distance call. In Area D, call Irene Perepolkin 250-442-3817 regarding any questions.
– Irene Perepolkin is Area D director for the RDKB