Shelburne dog by–law reminder

September 24, 2014 · 0 Comments

The Town of Shelburne has several by-laws in place in regards to dogs. Theses by-laws address issues that affect pedestrian safety, roadway safety, the safety of the dog, noise, as well as keeping our public areas clean.
The Shelburne Police responds to multiple animal complaints every year, and they are almost exclusively in regards to dogs. They include dogs running at large, aggressive dogs, dogs running into traffic, barking dogs and even occasional dog bites.
Dog owners must understand that they are responsible for their dogs at all times, and may get charged in various circumstances. Charges may be placed under a town by-law, the provincial Dog Owner’s Liability Act, or in some cases under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Under the Town By-Law a dog owner could face a $55.00 fine for:
• Permit Dog to Run at Large
• Fail to Secure Dog by Lead
• Permit Dog to Howl or Bark Excessively
• Fail to Remove Excrement
• Fail to Procure a Licence
• Fail to Secure Tag to Dog
Shelburne Police are reminding all canine owners that their dogs must never be free to roam off of the owner’s private property. This means the dog needs to be secured inside the house, in a fenced area or securely tied up in the yard.
When the dog is taken off the owner’s property it must be kept under control at all times on a lead. Also all dog excrement must be removed immediately from any public areas which include parks, sidewalks, boulevards, parking lots etc.
All dogs must have a dog tag. These dog tags must also be renewed every year. A maximum of three dog tags are allowed per household. The dog tags are not only a legal requirement, but have often allowed police to identify and locate the owners of a runaway dog, thus saving the owner further fines as well potential impound fees.
Dog tags can be purchased from the police desk at the Shelburne Town Hall during business hours.
The Shelburne Police encourages all dog owners to be diligent in their responsibilities with their pets for the benefit of all members of our community.