Letter to council:

January 25, 2007

Re: C. THAT Council approve in principle the prohibition of the use of exotic/wild animals in performances and other forms of entertainment as discussed in the report and instruct staff to report back concerning appropriate amendments to by-laws.

I'd like to offer my advice on the Animals in Performance section. Many municipalities adopted the cumbersome and flawed bylaw that only disallows the use of animals on a long list. I think this may be the one that Vancouver is considering.

Only the District of North Vancouver crafted and adopted a perfect bylaw: it does not prohibit some species, it prohibits all species in general but then permits some performances of some animals - the performances that society is not willing to give up yet: agricultural shows, pet shows (breeding clubs, agility, best-mutt etc, and horse shows (which the general public does not yet realize are displays of abused animals). It also permits the operation of its much-loved Maplewood Farms. It is elegantly simple.

I have appended the DNV bylaw and I hope that you will agree with me that it is the best bylaw for Vancouver.

Yours truly,

Judy Stone

CONSOLIDATION OF BYLAW 6423 AS AT FEBRUARY 24, 1992
UP TO AND INCLUDING BYLAW 6434
THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF NORTH VANCOUVER

BYLAW 6423

A bylaw to prohibit performances involving animals pursuant to

sections 527 (a) and 932(r) of the Municipal Act, 1979 R.S.B.C. C.290

The Council for The Corporation of the District of North Vancouver

enacts the following:

TITLE

1. This bylaw may be cited as "ANIMAL PERFORMANCE BYLAW".

DEFINITION

2. In this bylaw,

"Animal" means a mammal, bird or reptile but does not include man.(6434)

"Performance" includes circus, public show, exhibition, carnival,
travelling petting zoo, rodeo and dog race.

3.No person may conduct, operate or carry on a Performance in which an
Animal performs, fights or participates for the amusement or entertainment
of an audience, except that a Performance which only involves dogs and/or
horses or farm animals on a farm or only shows an Animal in agricultural
fairs or pet shows is permitted.

4.No person may conduct, operate or carry on a Performance which exploits
an Animal such that it is being used or treated in an inhumane manner for
profit or advantage.

5.No person may cause cruelty to an Animal respecting a Performance.

6.If a court of competent jurisdiction declares any section of this Bylaw
to be invalid, that section shall be severed from this Bylaw such that the
remaining sections of this Bylaw shall continue to be valid.

Amended by: 6434