The Town of Elrose has implemented a new Animal Control Bylaw outlining the regulations pet owners will now have to abide by.

At the beginning of February, the Town released Bylaw No. 2019-01 which covered topics including, licenses, number of animals allowed within a household, animals at large or unsupervised animals and nuisances, among others.

The licensing process will be two-fold whereas dogs and cats will have to be registered with the Town and then the licence tag must accompany the pet on their collar, if either of these are not done, the owner could be subject to a $100 fine for each infraction.

In the wake of the recent seizure of over 100 animals from a home in Elrose, the topic of number of animals was one that was likely to be addressed through the new bylaw.

Under the new bylaw, residents will be only allowed to have two dogs and three cats that are over the age of three months. Owners who exceed these numbers would be subject to $100 fine as well.

The bylaw also outlines the protocols if a dog or cat is at large, meaning, beyond the boundaries of the owners land or land they have permission to be on, or when the pet is not under control by a leash, enclosure or being securely fastened so it cannot roam at will. If a pet is at large, the owner would be subject to penalties and may find their dog impounded.

Section 11, Impounded Animals, lays out the action steps and time-frames associated with reclaiming your pet if it does get impounded.

For those wearing a collar with a license, the bylaw states the following:“Whenever any dog or cat with a collar and license tag is impounded, the Bylaw Officer shall forthwith deliver or cause to be delivered to or at the place of residence as shown by the record maintained by the Town Office, of the owner, possessor or harbourer a notice to the effect that unless the said dog or cat is redeemed and the fees provided in this Bylaw paid within forty-eight (48) hours from the time of delivery or mailing of said notice, the dog or cat shall be sold, given away or destroyed.”

Dogs and cats who are found and impounded who are not wearing a licence, the following actions were specified:“When any dog or cat not wearing the said licence tag as provided by this Bylaw is impounded, the Bylaw Officer shall immediately post a notice in the Town Office, giving the description of the dog or cat, the date and time when it was impounded, and the date and hour when it will be sold, given away or destroyed will be at the discretion of the Bylaw Officer. Such notice shall be posted at least forty-eight (48) hours before the said sale or destruction takes place.”

Additionally, the bylaw includes provisions relating to animal noises that cause disturbances or discomfort to other persons. The bylaw defines where an animal is being, too loud, stating if a person not situated on the property where the animal is, can easily hear barking, howling, yelping, whining, growling, meowing, hissing, chirping etc. It continues by outlining, owners who do not immediately restrain and remove the animal after it becomes a nuisance would then be subject to fines and also, a poundkeeper or Bylaw Officer, may seize and impound the animal.

Under General Violations, the bylaw prohibits an animal from being kept in unsanitary conditions. It states that conditions where there is an accumulation of fecal matter, an odour, insect infestation, or rodent attractants which would either endanger or disturb the enjoyment, comfort or convenience of any person or animal.

The bylaw was released by the Town of Elrose on February 4, 2019 and has since been put into effect. To view the full document, click here.