ST. PAUL - Discussions around the Town of St. Paul's draft Animal Control Bylaw - which is a combined version of the current Dog Bylaw and Cat Bylaw - continued to take place during the June 12 council meeting.
Director of Protective Services Trevor Kotowich spoke with council, going over some of the items discussed during the public hearing held on May 23.
One of the first items Kotowich addressed was the maximum number of animals allowed per residence. According to the draft bylaw, no person shall be the owner of more than three dogs, or more than three cats, or more than a total of four cats and dogs combined.
Kotowich noted that the number was chosen following research into the numbers chosen by other municipalities.
"I do believe there needs to be a number," said Kotowich. He referred to a recent file where 25 animals were taken from a house in town, as a situation that can arise if no limit is set.
Neither of the current bylaws have a maximum number set for how many pets a person can own. Those who have more pets currently, could be grandfathered when the new bylaw comes into effect, heard council.
Coun. Ron Boisvert asked if someone could move into town in the future with three cats and three dogs, for example, and be grandfathered in, to which it was noted that no, new residents would not be grandfathered in, but those situations could be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
The draft bylaw also states the maximum number of three dogs or three cats is set for pets who are six months old or older. Questions were asked around the chosen age, with CAO Steven Jeffery wondering if the six-month window would encourage people to breed animals.
Another item that had been brought up during the previous public hearing and was discussed again was the fact that the draft bylaw prohibits the live trapping of cats. This, according to Kotowich, is being done because the Alberta SPCA warns about the legalities of trapping live cats.
When trapping a live animal, there must be a plan in place to care for that animal, heard council. And when temperatures are extremely hot or extremely cold, and the local animal shelter is at capacity often, it can be tough to make a plan.
When speaking about micro-chipping, Kotowich noted that while it can be a useful tool to have pets micro-chipped, the majority of animals that the Town is dealing with are not registered, spayed or neutered, which is the bigger issue.
Coun. Nathan Taylor recommended the lifetime fee to register an animal that is spayed or neutered, and also micro-chipped, should be waived. If someone is a responsible pet owner, then the municipality does not want their money, he stated.
As discussions wrapped up, a motion was made to send the bylaw back to administration once more. The bylaw is expected to be brought before council during the June 26 council meeting.
