Kennel Bylaw Review – Councillor Connie Tabbert
Recommendation: Whereas, Council adopted By-law Number 20-06-1308 to regulate the keeping and control of animals in the Township; and
Whereas, the by-law for the keeping and control of animals regulates the operations and ownership of kennels;
Whereas, the receipt of numerous concerns relating to the licensing, operations, animal welfare, number of dogs, separation distances, etc. have been brought to Council and staff’s attention.
Therefore be it resolved that Council of the Township of Whitewater Region direct staff to review the existing regulations for kennels and provide recommended modifications within our jurisdictional areas.
Councillor Tabbert asked the Township to ensure the by-laws regarding kennels was able to be enforced due to the public interest in the cases shown in the recent public meetings.
“If we are going to get into the business of kennels, then we need to jump in rather than dip in our big toe.” she said.
“I’m now seeking Council’s support for a new by-law so that the unlicensed kennels can be abolished from within the Township.”
Councillor Mark Bell, the seconder, had no comment.
“I think it’s a great idea. We certainly know from the past that we don’t have enough teeth or enough toes as she said.” Councillor Michael Moore said.
Mayor Neil Nicholson said that By-law Enforcement Officer Baine was reviewing the bylaws to ensure that they would be able to cover it.
“I think that the proposal will include a draft for Council to receive and review.” CAO Ivan Burton. “I think that the earliest draft will be March, I would say the 15th, and probably mid to late April for the final draft.”
“I wouldn’t want it to go to much farther, we don’t want this to get to far ahead of us.” Moore said.
“I think that part of this process, and it can be a separate motion I guess, is the administering of punishments.” Councillor Chris Olmstead said. “If someone is not going to abide by the bylaw, and there’s a small fine, is it going to applied in the taxes. I think there’s a schedules in the last few years, and would like a timetable of our options.”
“The number of kennels in the township, do we have that list?” Deputy Mayor Cathy Regier asked.
“We certainly have that list, I don’t have it here in front of me.” CAO Burton said.
Regier asked what would be done about the kennels that don’t meet the bylaws and CAO Burton said that action would be taken to give the operators time to update their operations or cease them.
