A new bylaw was adopted by council at Monday’s regular council meeting.
The Responsible Animal Ownership bylaw is an upgrade to the previous bylaw and was unanimously passed.
Councillor Susan Scott says this was a necessary move.
“It’s important for us to be able to maintain awareness of animals within our city boundaries that effects the lives of people and other animals,” Scott says.
“We worked diligently with stakeholders, particularly the local SPCA community, who were able to give us informed opinion and information on what other communities are doing.”
One major difference, according to Councillor Albert Koehler, is how the law better defines aggressive dogs versus dangerous dogs.
Koehler says laws like this are always designed to improve the public’s safety but notes it’s difficult to get it perfect on the first attempt.
“I think it’s a safer and fairer approach, so the city had to do this and it was overdue,” he explains.
“The latest version, is it fair to everybody? I do not know but it’s a good start.”
The law will take effect on January 1st, 2018.
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