A discussion about restricting dogs to three per household in New Westminster got a little nippy in council chambers.
Since council adopted the new animal care and control bylaw in May, city staff have been working on policies and procedures to complement it. A staff report notes that a policy has been drafted on the topic of limits on the number of dogs in a household.
New Westminster is proposing that households be permitted no more than three dogs.
“Staff believe the proposed policy will provide for a fair and reasonable method to gain compliance with the bylaw and to protect the welfare of the animals,” stated the report. “By setting the limit to three dogs, owners can maintain a higher level of animal care for all their dogs. Restricting the number of dogs to three also discourages backyard breeders in the city.”
According to the staff report, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Richmond and Vancouver allow three dogs per household, while Surrey and Delta restrict it to two. (Burnaby recently raised the allowable number of dogs per household from two to three.)
Coun. Betty McIntosh questioned whether the policy would “make it very difficult” for staff to investigate, if a councillor had more than three dogs.
Sukh Maghera, the city’s coordinator of parking and animal services, said staff look at compliance with city bylaws, but also look at reasons people may have more than three dogs and determine whether it’s a permanent or temporary situation.
“It’s up to the officer to work with that person at that time, and create a timeline,” he said.
Coun. Lorrie Williams, an animal lover who has fostered dogs in her Sapperton home, said she has three registered dogs at her home.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr took to Williams’ defence and accused McIntosh of making “veiled accusations” at another councillor. He said he commends Williams for the work she does with charities, such as animal welfare groups.
McIntosh pointed out that she didn’t name any particular councillor and sought clarification from staff about how it would be handled if the situation should arise.
“I did not say a word about councillor Williams,” she said. “I am not making veiled anything – it was a direct question of staff.”
