Posted:
Friday, Nov. 27, 2015 (Halifax, NS) – Changes are coming this weekend to rules governing pet ownership in the municipality.
Earlier this month Regional Council approved a new animal bylaw that will simplify the administrative framework for registering a pet, and includes amendments to help keep animals and the public safer.
One of the biggest changes in the new bylaw (A-700 – Animals and Responsible Pet Ownership), is a restriction on the leash length for pets. Leashes can now no longer exceed three metres (10-feet). The leash also must be held securely by a person. There was previously no limit on the length of a leash.
The municipality is also introducing the option of a lifetime licence for an animal with a microchip. The one-time cost is $200, with a reduced rate of $75 for spayed/neutered animals, and a 50 per cent discount for seniors.
The option still exists to renew pet licences annually. The annual licence will now expire 12 months from the date of purchase, rather than expiring every year at the end of March and being charged at a pro-rated cost if the licence is purchased throughout the year.
Registering your pet provides the peace of mind in knowing compliance officers will attempt to return lost pets to their owners before resorting to dropping the animal off at a shelter, which comes with an added cost and stress to the animal.
Other changes adopted in the updated animal bylaw include new rules for tethering, muzzles, noise, and the issue of stray livestock, including poultry.
Specifically, wherever livestock is currently permitted in the municipality, the owner must ensure the animals are prevented from running at large. Bylaw A-700 also gives authority to issue orders to build and/or repair a structure to contain the livestock.
The new bylaw comes into force on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015.
For more information on Bylaw A-700, and how the new rules affect you, please go to: http://www.halifax.ca/legislation/bylaws/hrm/documents/By-LawA-700.pdf
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