City’s new dog bylaw has increased fines
The city had spent so much time tweaking its dog bylaw in the last year that it decided to write a whole new one instead.
That new bylaw will now be the standard for canine law in the Kamloops for years to come.
Part of the changes include distinguishing between a dangerous and aggressive dog.
A dangerous dog is now considered one that is at great risk to seriously injure or kill a person, and can be seized and destroyed under provincial legislation.
An aggressive dog is one that shows aggression and may bite, but is not necessarily deadly.
Under the new bylaw, dogs deemed aggressive are not allowed to run at large or be in an off-leash parks.
The canines must also be outfitted with an identification microchip registered with the city.
Owners must also carry liability insurance at all times to cover potential actions of the dog.
Jon Wilson, the city’s community safety and enforcement manager, said in comparison to other cities, Kamloops doesn’t really have a dangerous-dog problem.
“How we manage those dogs, I would say Kamloops has got one of the better bylaws now this has passed,” he said.
Along with new rules comes a change in fees.
Minimum fines for infractions have jumped to $100 from $25.
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