By Rosalind Russell – Dogs are considered family pets, but they also working members of many farms in the Sables-Spanish Rivers Township assisting with herding and security for livestock.
Bylaw officer Richard Paquette says the town animal control bylaw has not been updated in 10 years and the fines are no longer a deterrent.
He met with the council Wednesday to ask it be updated to meet new provincial standards, especially the Dog Owner Liability Act, and to specifically increase fines for infractions.
That suggestion led to a heated shouting match between several members of the gallery.
Mayor Kevin Burke called for order and brought up evicting people from the meeting.
The council agreed to see how other municipalities are dealing with similar situations and deferred the amendment to a future council meeting.
Paquette also noted he will be going to other municipalities in his jurisdiction including Espanola and Baldwin Township to ask for fines to be increased when their animal control bylaws come up for review.
Screenshot by Rosalind Russell
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