The first step in establishing a new animal control bylaw for the regional district has been taken.
The Regional District of the Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) passed first reading of bylaw 1550, combining the old licensing bylaw and created one bylaw, said Elaine Kumar, RDKB director of corporate administration.
“It’s been cleaned up and we’ve added a schedule on the back and that’s where our fees are. We’ve improved on our definitions,” she said.
Kumar said the definition of a vicious dog has been clarified and the bylaw no longer names specific breeds.
The animal control bylaw will be enforced by the animal control officers, which are provided by the Commissionaires who signed a one-year contract with the regional district back in September of last year.
The bylaw establishes and sets regulations for a pound and provides for licensing of dogs within the area comprising of the City of Grand Forks, the City of Greenwood, and electoral areas ‘C’ (Christina Lake) and ‘D’ (area surrounding Grand Forks).
“I think it really covers the basics,” said Grand Forks Mayor Brian Taylor, who also sits on the RDKB board and chairs the PEP committee.
Taylor said he is fine with the proposed new bylaw although he is eager to hear what the public has to say about it. “After first reading it goes to the community for input,” he said.
“We can expect to see some opportunities for the community to comment on it.”
The RDKB will hold a town hall meeting about the animal control bylaw on Feb. 11 in Grand Forks.
A second meeting will be held on Feb. 26 in Christina Lake at the community hall at 6:30 p.m.
The bylaw is also available on the RDKB website, if anyone wishes to comment on it there.