WESTCOAST NEWS
New dog bylaws curb pit bulls, hit owners with high licensing fees

Richmond News

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

RICHMOND - How can council pass a bylaw requiring pet owners to exercise their dogs while forbidding pit bull owners from exercising their dogs in off-leash dog parks at the same time?

Squaring that circle was just one of the discussions Monday, when Richmond council gave final adoption to new animal control and dog licensing bylaws.

The bylaws have raised the hackles of one local pit bull owner, who claims the policy is discriminatory. And professional dog walkers are concerned about a provision that would limit the number of dogs that can be off-leash in an off-leash park to three.

"You're picking on my dog, and you also plan to pick my pockets," said Tom Lawrence, whose daughter owns a pit bull.

The new bylaw will see dog licence fees raised from $20 to $30 for spayed or neutered dogs, and to $70 for dogs that aren't spayed or neutered. Pit bulls are automatically classed as "dangerous," even if they've never exhibited aggressive behaviour, and licensing them will cost a whopping $200 for animals that are spayed or neutered, or $250 for dogs that aren't.
© The Vancouver Sun 2005