(Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Taber mayor aiming to clarify ‘Dog Control Bylaw’

Mar 28, 2021 | 8:05 AM

TABER, AB – Taber’s mayor is hoping to clear up some misconceptions about a proposed bylaw focused on dogs.

The ‘Dog Control Bylaw’ was featured in the Town of Taber Council agenda for the March 22 meeting.

In the document, it was noted that a Peace Officer or a Bylaw Enforcement Officer “may declare a dog to be an aggressive dog” and that a dog declared as such may be seized and impounded until a Peace or Bylaw Enforcement Officer deems the dog safe to return to their owner.

A list of breeds was included in the document on council’s agenda, which can be viewed from pages 97 through 126 here.

“Bottom line, that bylaw came to council at our administration’s request related to dog licensing – a dog licensing format that needed to be updated and/or license fees, and/or fines, that hasn’t been visited since 2008,” Taber mayor Andrew Prokop told Lethbridge News Now.

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“Basically, that’s an older bylaw and some form of that bylaw was in existence in the early 90s, so this bylaw is certainly nothing new. It’s just been adjusted a handful of times over the years.”

Agendas for upcoming council meetings are available to the public, and Prokop noted council and town administration received feedback from concerned residents, which is why council has decided to take another look at the bylaw and rework it.

Prokop said many of the concerns stemmed from the mention of specific dog breeds. A suggestion heard included just having a “blanket restrictive dog list”, one that is not breed-specific.

“We’re just trying to be fair and reasonable and again, once that was brought to our attention, that’s exactly what we thought, we unanimously passed that motion to go back to our administration for review and recommendation for council’s consideration at the April 19^th meeting,” he said.

“In some ways, I think it’s great. There’s probably things in there that have been antiquated, so it’s probably good timing to look at this again.”

Prokop said he, along with council and town administration, is always open to hear from residents and address their concerns. He said a public consultation to inform the bylaw is expected to begin sometime this week.

Prokop also highlighted the work of the Taber Lost Paws Society, who opened a new shelter last month.

“The Lost Paws Society is a very proactive, very valuable group for our community and area,” he said.

More details on the society can be found here.