RM of Piney Receiving High Volume of Dog Complaints

By Dan Guetre

Dogs running at large and incessant barking have translated into many complaints coming into the RM of Piney municipal office recently forcing them to remind its residents that there is a by-law in place that regulated what pet owners need to adhere to.

“If you are a dog owner, you have legal responsibilities under the Animal Control By-Law,” said the municipality in a statement. Those not respecting the by-law, put in place to protect relationships between neighbours, could force the municipality’s hand to take additional measures.

“If these problems do not get resolved in the near future, the RM will consider a more drastic form of animal control to maintain the safety of the public,” added the municipality.

The RM is hoping a reminder of the by-law in place will help so they can avoid a more drastic response.

In the municipality, all dogs must remain on the owner’s property unless leashed and not be allowed to run at large off property. Also, dogs are not allowed to defecate on public property and if a dog does defecate on public property, the owner shall clean up the excrement immediately. This also applies to private property that is not your own. They add that no dog shall pursue, worry, wound or bite any person or other animal whether or not the incident is on the owner’s property. Dog owners must ensure their dog is not barking or howling in any other way that unduly disturbs the quiet of any person or persons anywhere in the municipality.

According to the municipality, if there are any infractions of the by-law, the owner will be deemed to have failed or refused to comply. This includes any property damage, biting, chasing of people or other animals.