HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-03-14, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2013.Trick expresseshis concerns over
dog bite reporting
Special delivery
The new tanker for the Grey Station of the Huron East Fire Department was delivered
last week. The department officially took possession of the new truck on Monday,
March 4. Tom Mehmel, left, of Fort Garry Fire Trucks was on hand to pass the keys
on to Grey Fire Chief Gary Boyer, second from left. Also on hand were Grey Deputy
Chief Don Cochrane, centre, and Huron East Grey Ward Councillors Dianne Diehl,
second from right and Alvin MacLellan, right. (Photo submitted)
Animal Control Officer Bob Trick
explained to Morris-Turnberry Council
that its current animal control bylaw
wasn’t comprehensive enough during a
council meeting on March 5 and
suggested adopting a new one he had
drafted.
The bylaw, which was deferred by
council, will be the first change to the
municipality’s bylaw in 12 years.
Among the changes are some
administrative ones that give Morris-
Turnberry’s bylaw control officer the right
to work on Trick’s behalf if he’s not
available as well as some changes to
recognize the changing face of pet
ownership.
One of the big changes that is being
considered is a limit on the number of pets
an individual can have, especially with
canines.
“Before we didn’t say anything about
cats and, in the rural areas, there was no
limit on dogs,” Trick explained. “With this
there will be a limit of three dogs in rural
areas and two in urban areas. There’s also
a maximum of five pets of any kind in an
urban area. If people in a rural area want
more than three dogs, they will need a
kennel licence.”
After birth of animals, such as puppies,
owners will have 12 weeks according to
the proposed bylaw to find them new
homes. That rule was as much to help
owners as limit them though, according to
Trick.
“After pups get to 12 weeks old, it
becomes much more difficult for people
to sell them, so we’re encouraging people
to sell them or else get a kennel licence.”
Other changes include the fact that
some “common sense rules” have been
added to the care of animals section
including providing adequate shelter for
outdoor animals.
“Basically, you can have dogs in dog
houses but only if the houses are insulated
and equipped properly,” he said. “You
have to have protection from rain, sleet
and snow. There has to be some kind of
door in use, either canvas or otherwise
and, outside the dog house, you have to
have adequate drainage.”
Trick said that he visited a home in
Morris-Turnberry recently that had
perfect dog houses, but that the dogs, the
second they left the house, were in three
inches of mud.
“That’s no good for me,” he said. “If an
[Ontario Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA)] person
came out, the owner would be charged.
Outside the dog house there either has to
be correct drainage or patio stones or
cement blocks.”
Councillor Jamie Heffer, however,
wasn’t comfortable with the changes to
the bylaw.
“I’m not happy as far as livestock
protection dogs go, they don’t fit any of
these [stipulations],” he said. “I’m talking
about sheepdogs, for example, they are
never going to live in a dog house. I have
three sheep dogs and it takes all three in
action to take down a coyote and if one
gets injured, I should be prepared for that
by having a fourth.”
Trick said that the bylaw is not written
in stone and that it can be changed.
Mayor Paul Gowing agreed with Heffer,
saying that rules should be put in to
accommodate owners of dogs who use
them for livestock. He did say, however,
they would have to be careful to set the
bylaw out in such a way that it couldn’t be
abused by people who don’t want to get a
kennel licence.
Pit bulls and pit bull crosses will remain
regulated pets under the bylaw and
individuals are not supposed to raise
them. Trick said if he is called on that
issue, the police will help him.
Another change for dog owners is that
Trick set a definite length for usable
leashes within the municipality.
“These retractable leashes that are 20
feet long can’t control the dog,” he said. “I
have suggested we enforce a definite
length of the leash of 1.8 metres or six
feet.”
Deputy-Mayor Jason Breckenridge
asked how the bylaw would be enforced
and Trick explained it would be based on
complaints.
“I’m not going to chase people with a
10-foot leash, but I will call it where I see
it or when I’m asked to look at it,” he said.
Other canine-specific rules include
containment of a bitch in heat, penning or
leashing dogs near property lines, removal
of excrement and when a barking dog is
considered to be causing a disturbance.
Much of the rest of the bylaw deals with
what are called prohibited pets, which
were previously identified as exotic pets.
Trick said that many people are seeking
more exotic pets and, because of that
trend, he had to prepare for that.
The rules state that any of the animals
listed as prohibited, which include many
reptiles and birds, will not be allowed
unless they had ownership prior to the
bylaw being passed or they have
requested special permission from the
municipality.
One of the major issues that Trick
touched on was snakes, stating that they
have proven to be an issue in the past and
that their long lifespan can make them
difficult pets to own and can result in
owners abandoning them.
“Most people can’t live with a [person]
for 35 years,” Trick joked, indicating that
some snakes can live upwards of 30 years.
“I’m seeing a lot more exotic animals out
there and most of them are with those
young people and they don’t want to keep
them after two or three years.”
Council agreed to examine the
document before making a decision on it
and come back with ideas regarding,
among other things, livestock protection
animals.
ANNUAL ANIMAL REPORT
Trick also reported to council his year in
review for 2012.
He reported the following statistics for
Morris-Turnberry:
• Dogs caught: 12
• Contacts and complaints: 77
• Sick raccoons: 16
• Barking complaints: 5
• Dog attacks: 4
• Dog bites: 3
• Ordered off property: Twice, both in
Lower Town.
• Wild cat: 1
• Fox complaints: 2
• Poop and scoop bags used: 1,400
• OPP Calls or presence: 14
• Tickets laid: 3
• Kennel Licence: 6
Trick also reported that he had an
unusual run-in with a landowner who
accused him of being inebriated while
performing his duties. Upon being
accused, he said he immediately reported
to an OPP detachment where he was
tested and no alcohol was found in his
system.
Another issue that Trick ran into over
the year was discovering, earlier on, that
the Huron County Health Unit had
stopped providing him with information
CCCN_SPEAKUP_3
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
Continued on page 18