Friday, June 18, 2021
The CSRD Board voted unanimously to pass three readings of a bylaw that would extend full dog control service, without dog licencing, to the entirety of Electoral Area D. This area includes Falkland, Silver Creek, Ranchero, Deep Creek, Gardom Lake and the Salmon Valley.
Currently full dog control services in Electoral Area D operate in a limited area of Ranchero only. Full dog control includes requiring licences for dogs and provisions for dealing with aggressive dogs, as well as complaints with excessive barking or roaming dogs.
The bylaw will now be sent to the Inspector of Municipalities for approval before it could come into effect for the target dog control start date of January 1, 2022. If approved by the Inspector, the bylaw will return to the CSRD Board for consideration of adoption later this year.
The specific regulations which will govern the bylaw are still being developed by CSRD staff and will be brought back to the CSRD Board for review and approval in the fall. As part of the CSRD Board's previous directive at the May 20, 2021 Regular Meeting, the regulatory bylaw will not require dog licencing and will contain an exemption for livestock guardian dogs on farm properties.
In addition, the CSRD will also need to update its Ticket Information Utilization Bylaw to allow ticketing for infractions of the dog control bylaw.
Electoral Area D Director Rene Talbot expressed approval for the bylaw, noting it will enhance public safety for residents and other domestic animals at a low cost to the taxpayer.
The taxation cost to Electoral Area D residents for the expanded dog control service is estimated at $24.37 per year for the average residential property assessment of $354,905.
Response from the community on the issue is divided, however, Board Chair Kevin Flynn pointed out the need for discussion on the topic to remain respectful. He noted that both he and Director Talbot have been the target of aggressive and threatening emails and comments.
"We want input, but we want that to be civil. It has gone way beyond that line in some emails," he said. View the June 18 2021 Board Supports Extending Dog Control for Electoral Area D (PDF).
