WESTLOCK — A draft “responsible pet ownership bylaw,” which will effectively replace the current Dog Control and Prohibited Animal Bylaws, is now expected to come before Westlock County councillors at their April 9 commitee of the whole meeting.
That’s according to Westlock County chief administrative officer Tony Kulbisky, who provided councillors with an update regarding the proposed bylaw during the March 12 committee of the whole meeting.
Noting that there were sections of the bylaw that were still undergoing legal vetting, Kulbisky said, “It wasn’t quite ready to come before you today.”
The CAO had originally informed council about the new bylaw back in November while answering a question about a recent notice published in the Town & Country This Week.
Incidentally, that notice stated enforcement services had received reports about properties within the Hamlet of Regal Park owning more than two dogs.
Kulbisky told council back in November that administration was working on a new Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, which would reflect all current legislation and reference “important and relevant” sections of the county’s current bylaws with respect to pet ownership and prohibited animals.
At the March 12 meeting, Reeve Christine Wiese noted that the county has a contract with the Westlock Veterinary Clinic in regards to taking in stray animals and wondered what would happen with strays in light of this new bylaw.
It should be noted that the county has also advertised in the Town & Country This Week to see if anyone would be interested in acting as a “pound keeper” for dogs apprehended within the municipality.
These ads stressed that this was not a formal tender or closed bidding process, but more of a request for expressions of interest from individuals or groups.
Kulbisky said they’ve had a couple of people reach out in regards to those ads and they’ve had some preliminary discussions.
He said they will also meet with the Westlock Veterinary Clinic to discuss how things will be done a little differently in the future.
Council ultimately passed a motion accepting Kulbisky’s update for information.
