Swan River Town Council has given First Reading to their Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, which proposes several changes to that community's current Animal Control Bylaw.
Among the significant changes are cats being required to be licensed on an annual basis, much like dogs already are.
As well, cats and dogs of all ages would need to be licensed under this new by-law. Previously, cats and dogs under four months of age did not need to be licensed.
If passed, the new by-law would also limit the number of animals at a single property to 2 dogs and 2 cats, no matter how many tenants live at the property.
It also states that any animal impounded 3 or more times in a 12-month period while owned by the same owner, will be sold, disposed of to a new owner, or be destroyed regardless of its licensing status.
All dogs are to be sterilized unless an exemption is granted, with un-sterilized cats and dogs being subject to an un-sterilized fee that will be added to their yearly license fee.
Un-sterilized animals that are impounded would also be sterilized, with the costs associated to that being added to other fees that have to be paid in order to redeem the animal.
The new by-law would also set specific fine amounts for all offences, as well as increases in fine amounts for repeat offenders.
Residents wanting to look at the complete by-law can do so on the Town of Swan River website.
