If you see someone else’s dog unattended, running lost on the streets in Vanderhoof, the mayor says you should get in touch with the town office and file a complaint.
The District has a Animal Control Bylaw, which was adopted in May 2018. This bylaw faced backlash from some residents at the time saying it wasn’t well written. Council supported the bylaw and passed it unanimously.
To read the animal control bylaw, access the District website and search for bylaw no. 1183, 2018 Animal Control Bylaw.
READ MORE: Bylaw barking up the wrong tree
Meanwhile, if you want to get in touch with the animal bylaw officer, you will have to call the town and they will either file a complaint or get you her contact. Thiessen said he suggests people call the town and complain as then those reports will be presented to council during any regular public meeting.
“But what I understand is that there are certain people who call her directly. But if you call the town then it’s documented and it comes as a report to council showing where the concerns are and what they are,” he said.
On being asked whether bylaws are being enforced, Thiessen said he hadn’t heard any complaints and that bylaws are being enforced more than they have in the past.
He said council faces a challenge when it comes to enforcing bylaws.
“I do agree with you that don’t have a bylaw unless you are willing to enforce it. The thing is that we have our bylaws, but we face a lot of concern if we go too strongly on the bylaws and enforce it too rigidly. It is always a struggle. But I think right now we have enforced our bylaws stronger than they have been before and I feel a lot of confidence in our bylaw process right now,” Thiessen said.
He added that if council see the need to add more funding to enforce bylaws, then they will consider and discuss changes.
“The one way now is to use the process we have right now and make a complaint. And go from there,” he said.
Vanderhoof Omineca Express has requested an interview with Darren Dyck, the District’s bylaw officer, to understand the kind of revenue Vanderhoof has made through bylaw enforcement.
More to come…
Aman Parhar
Editor, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.com
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