MANDATORY SPAY/NEUTER BYLAW PROPOSAL

Purpose

The Spay/Neuter Action Bylaw Committee is proposing a mandatory spay/neuter bylaw for domestic cats and dogs across the Capital Region.

The over-population and abandonment of cats (and to a lesser extent dogs) has reached CRISIS status in the Capital Region. To date, educational programs have not been successful in bringing the situation under control.

Proposed Spay/Neuter Bylaw

Spaying and Neutering of Dogs:

No resident of the municipality of _____ shall own or harbour a dog over the age of five (5) months which has not been spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinary surgeon unless the owner is in possession of
a breeding permit.

Any impounded dog which is not sterilized shall not be released to the original or new owner until the animal is spayed or neutered.

If a dog with or without I.D. has not been spayed or neutered, the owner shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a minimum fine of $200. This fine shall be waived upon proof being furnished to Animal Control that the dog has been spayed or neutered within thirty (30)
days of issuance of a Spay/Neuter Tracking Number.

Spay/neuter exemption may be permitted for dogs that present a surgical risk due to age or illness. The caretaker of such animals must have in their possession a letter from a licensed veterinarian stating the reason for exemption, and must provide the letter to an
Animal Control Officer on request.

Any person providing care or sustenance for a period of sixty (60) days or longer shall be deemed to be the owner and must adhere to the provision of this bylaw.

Sale or Adoption of Dogs:

Any person or licensed business offering a dog for sale or adoption shall disclose to any purchaser or adoptive owner information regarding the spay/neuter bylaw.

Dog Breeding Permits:

No resident shall cause or allow any dog owned or harboured to breed without first obtaining a breeding permit.

Each applicant who is issued a permit to breed dogs shall pay a $500 fee per dog. The permit will be issued one (1) time only, is valid for twelve (12) months and is issued at the discretion of the Animal Control Officer.

No offspring may be sold or adopted until reaching an age of at least eight (8) weeks.

Any permit holder advertising to the public the availability of any dog for adoption or sale must display the permit number in any publication in which they advertise.

Any licensed business who offers dogs for sale or adoption must display the permit number of the source breeder of each dog.

Revocation of Permit:

Any permit issued may be revoked if the Animal Control Officer has
reasonable cause to believe any of the following to be true:

The permittee is in violation of any regulation regarding animal care or control

The permittee has failed to comply with any condition or requirement of the permit or has failed to pay any fee imposed under this section

The permittee refuses to allow inspection, upon forty-eight (48) hours of written notice, of any dog covered by the permit or the premises on which the animal is kept

The permittee has transferred, sold, or otherwise disposed of the dog for which the permit was issued.

Penalty for Violation:

Any person who violates the permit provisions of this bylaw shall have no more than thirty (30) days to have their dog spayed or neutered or provide proof from a licensed veterinarian indicating that arrangements have been made to spay or neuter their dog(s). The Animal
Control Officer shall inform persons subject to this law to the availability of reduced cost spay/neuter programs available for low-income persons. If a dog is not spayed or neutered within thirty (30) days of the notice, he or she shall be subject to a $200 fine for each thirty (30) days the animal is not spayed or neutered. Funds generated pursuant to this section shall be used to fund low-cost
spay/neuter programs.