ATHABASCA – Athabasca County is looking to the public for feedback on a proposed animal control bylaw that administration said will help address some challenges it has been facing.
County residents will be able to have their voice heard through a survey on athabascacounty.com, which will be available by March 1. While the questions are still being worked on, a spokesperson for the county was able to confirm there will be room additional comments for more direct feedback for administration or council.
Councillors will take the feedback into consideration at the April committee of the whole meeting, before recommending the bylaw to county council for a first reading, and then a possible public hearing.
The draft bylaw, which was first discussed during the Jan. 16 committee of the whole meeting, is designed to give the county’s bylaw enforcement officers a better tool kit to handle problem animals as they arise.
After hearing feedback from councillors, administration added sections to the bylaw for the Feb. 20 meeting, including around abandoned animals and basic care requirements. An abandoned animal would be considered such if it is left without adequate care, left behind at a vet, caretaker, or former place of residence, or let loose to avoid providing care.
Owners will have to ensure their animals are provided with drinking water, species-specific food, sanitary food and water receptacles, regular opportunity for sufficient exercise, vet care, and a clean and sanitary living space.
Proposed fines for abandoned animals start at $500 and increase with each offence in a 12-month period; repeat offenders would face a court date if the bylaw was implemented in its current state.
