A move to give animal control inspectors the power to issue tickets for minor offences is a step closer to reality.
As of now, the city can only lay charges for violations, which can take months to go through the courts.
The change to the Animal Control Regulations would give inspectors with Humane Services the ability to issue $100 tickets for minor violations of the bylaw.
It would mostly involve nuisance calls involving dogs and cats, from being off leash, to repeatedly ruining a flower bed.
Coun. Jill Bruce (City of St. John’s)
Jill Bruce, council’s lead for Community Services, said she reached out to staff at Humane Services for their thoughts on the ticketing power, and relayed them to council.
“(They said) having the ability to ticket for repeat offenders will help them when talking to residents, as they may take staff more serious when they know a ticket can follow. They’ve become a very busy division with animal neglect, abuse and all the housing issues in the last few years. And having the ability to ticket when all other avenues have been addressed will save them time and frustrations.”
Warnings and education will remain the first steps in dealing with a problem, but will rise to tickets and charges for repeat offenders and more serious incidents.
The changes are expected to go before a full vote of the council next week.
