The City of Winnipeg cracked down on pet safety on July 1. A new bylaw includes rules that prohibit pet owners from chaining or housing dogs outside for extended periods, and dogs need to be supervised when they are outside.
Another rule prohibits pets from being left unattended in vehicles when it is 22 degrees Celsius or warmer, or minus 10 degrees Celsius or colder. The city said it does not apply to running vehicles with working air conditioning or heating systems.
When it comes to bylaws in Dauphin surrounding pet safety, you must have your dog on a leash at all times when you're not on your property. So if you go to your backyard that is fenced in, it is okay to leave your dog off-leash so they can run around. However, as soon as you leave your property, it is mandatory that your dog is on a leash unless you go to the off-leash dog park right across from the old Brewers Diamond in Dauphin.
You must also have a licence for your dogs and cats, they can be purchased at City Hall if you haven't received one yet. When applying for a licence, you must submit the following.
• Name & address of the owner;
• Description & Breed of the dog or cat;
• Certificate from Veterinarian confirming animal has been spayed or neutered, if applicable;
• Proof that the animal has been vaccinated against rabies within two (2) years of the date of application for the licence.
The licence fees are as follows:
$30 for every spayed or neutered dog/cat and
$45 for every other dog/cat.
Your animal wearing their licence is critical because on the chance they run away, the Animal Control Officer can be in touch with you. On that note, any dog or cat running at large will be picked up and taken to the Animal Pound and will be released only upon payment of the capture fee, pound fees, purchase of current licence and any other applicable fees.
If a dog or cat is not claimed within three business days, it may be humanely euthanized or put up for adoption, at the sole discretion of the City of Dauphin.
"We've been catching a lot of cats lately and many are going missing," said Todd Tarrant, Animal Control Officer. "My suggestion is don't let your cats or dogs outside of your house unless they are tied up. Also if it's dark, stay outside with them for a few minutes."
