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For Immediate release
Dunnottar owners of
‘worrisome’ dogs to be punished
By Roger Newman
Friday July 29, 2005
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Coun. Margaret Anderson (far left) with colleagues Beverley Hares and
Dunnottar Mayor Rick Gamble. |
Interlake Spectator — Dunnottar
Coun. Margaret Anderson is still worried about the word “worry”.
For several council meetings, Anderson has been fighting to change a new village
animal control bylaw which says that pet owners can be punished if their animals
“worry” other people.
Anderson contends that ‘worry’ is a subjective word that can’t be measured by
council and its bylaw officer. But she failed to gain support for her cause July
18 when she tested her theory on Rene Granger, the region’s animal control
officer.
Granger was at a regular council meeting to support the bylaw, saying that it
promotes responsible pet ownership and covers virtually all bases pertaining to
household animals.
“It works,” Granger said in reference to the Dunnottar bylaw which is almost the
same as other pet ownership ordinances in the region.
That wasn’t quite enough for Anderson who said the worrisome ‘worry’ clause is
absent from the City of Winnipeg
animal bylaw. She wanted to know how the degree of worry is determined when a
snapping dog is chained and under control in a yard.
“Worry has never been a problem, “ Granger replied. “It is only when an incident
takes place and then it is up to council to decide.”
Mayor Rick Gamble said it is better to err on the side of safety while
administrator Janice Thevenot said the worry clause is in the bylaw to prevent
an attack from happening.
“It is to deal with aggressive dogs before they do damage,” the administrator
said.
Anderson persisted, but the debate soon came to an end.
“I think you’re making way too big a deal of it,” Granger told her. “It’s just
one word.”
The upshot is that causing worry will remain an offence, although Gamble
promises cases will be assessed fairly.
Infractions should be rare because Granger said that more than 90 per cent of
pet owners are responsible. That was good news to all council members, but there
was no immediate measurement of Anderson’s peace of mind.
For More Information Contact:
Gimli Animal Shelter
Gimli Industrial Park
Tel: 204-642-4775
FAX:
Internet:
gimlianimalshelter@mts.net
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