Control Agency

Animal guardians: Saskatoon Animal Control Agency

The Saskatoon Animal Control Agency (SACA) team is motivated by their love of animals. Their goal is to ensure a safe community and promote responsible pet ownership. (PHOTO: SACA)

BY JEANNIE ARMSTRONG

Imagine the anguish and confusion that a dog or cat experiences when it is lost and running at large. Consider too, the physical discomfort the animal suffers – including hunger, thirst and exposure to the elements.

In 2019, 381 lost cats and dogs were happily reunited with their owners by members of the Saskatoon Animal Control Agency (SACA). These animals were able to be identified because their loving owners had purchased an annual pet license from the City of Saskatoon, and some had also had their pet microchipped.

Another 1,763 dogs and cats who were found running at large by SACA officers did not have any means of identification. As a result, they were impounded at the Saskatoon SPCA.

The Saskatoon Animal Control Agency is contracted by the City of Saskatoon to enforce the Animal Control Bylaw and the Dangerous Animals Bylaw, and to provide animal control services. Pound services are provided by the Saskatoon SPCA. These services are supported through the revenues collected through the issuing of dog and cat licenses by the City of Saskatoon.

Eva Alexandrovici, SACA president, says the Animal Control Bylaw is in place to benefit pet and non-pet owners alike. “We want to have animals and people live in harmony in our city.”

It is important to be aware of all of the City’s animal-related bylaws. With the summer months approaching, citizens are reminded that while off your private property it is against the bylaw to tie your animal to an inanimate object. Please ensure your pet is on a leash no more than two metres in length and under proper human control at all times.

TOP FIVE ANIMAL BYLAW INFRACTIONS IN 2019 1. At large

The most common infraction in 2019 involved dogs and cats running at large. “If we receive a complaint about or see an animal at large, we will impound it. If it has a license or a microchip, or other form of identification, we will try to return it to the owner. Any time we impound a cat or a dog running at large, a ticket is issued,” says Alexandrovici.

If the animal has a valid pet license, then the Pet-At-Large (PAL) Perk could be applied. Redeemable only once during the lifetime of the animal, the PAL Perk waives the at-large fine the pet owner would normally have to pay upon reclaiming their animal. These fines can be a minimum of $350 and as high as $650 if the dog or cat is at-large without a license. 2. Failure to license

In 2019, the second most frequent bylaw infraction dealt with by SACA was failure to license a dog or cat. “Under the Animal Control Bylaw, all dogs and cats are required to be licensed when they are four months old,” says Alexandrovici. By having your pet licensed, the Pet-At-Large (PAL) Perk can be

applied once annually to void your impound fee. The base fine for not licensing your dog or cat is $250. 3.Nuisance barking

Number three on the top five list of bylaw violations in 2019 is nuisance barking. “If we get a barking complaint, it may not result in a ticket. It could just be a warning. It depends on what the complainant is requesting,” says Alexandrovici.

The City of Saskatoon has refined the process residents need to follow to file a complaint about a barking dog. In the past, the person filing the complaint was required to complete a five- or seven-day bark log.

“Sometimes people would not complete those forms properly,” says Brad Babyak, Recreation Services Manager/Open Space Programming and Development with the City of Saskatoon.

“Any time we give a fine for barking or howling, there’s a chance the case will potentially go to court, so the information has to be recorded properly. We’ve revised the form to ensure the information is being collected properly, with stop and start times,” says Babyak.

Alexandrovici suggests that individuals who are upset by their neighbour’s barking dog begin by having a conversation with the pet owner. “You can approach your neighbour and just let them know their dog is barking excessively. Sometimes they have no idea this is going on if they’re not home. You can let them know you are uncomfortable with the level of barking.

“If you’d rather not talk to your neighbour, we can take your complaint over the phone and send you the documents to fill out. Those include a questionnaire and a bark log where you document the dog’s barking and send it back to us.”

SACA staff members will then go to see the dog’s owner and either issue a warning or a ticket. “We provide educational material to help the owner try to prevent the barking,” says Alexandrovici.

What can help reduce nuisance barking? “Don’t leave the dog unattended in the yard. Proper training, socializing and exercising the dog also helps reduce nuisance barking. It also helps to introduce your dog to the neighbour. If your dog knows the neighbour is supposed to be there, the dog is less likely to bark at them,” says Alexandrovici. 4. Feces accumulation

Number four on the list of top five violations is failing to clean up pet feces. This includes accumulation in the owner’s yard, a neighbour’s property or public spaces. “Spring is always a busy time for receiving complaints about feces accumulation. If owners clean up after their animals throughout the winter, they won’t have such a huge accumulation to deal with in the spring,” she says.

“When you take your dog for a walk, make sure to clean up after it immediately. Always have a poop bag with you. It’s also very important to clean up after your dog if you’re in one of the off-leash dog parks.” The minimum fine for each offense is $100. 5. Animals in prohibited areas

Rounding out the top five list of bylaw infractions involves animals being in prohibited areas. “There are parks in Saskatoon which are prohibited to animals, including Kiwanis Park, Kinsmen Park and the Forestry Farm Park. Playgrounds, cemeteries and some sports fields are posted off limits for pets,” says Alexandrovici.

The fine for a first offense is $100; second is $200; and subsequent offences are $300.

This regulation is in place to help protect the public, she explains. “Playgrounds are prohibited to dogs for safety reasons. We want our children to have safe places to play. There are a number of enclosed sports fields that are prohibited to dogs. That’s because sports fields are places of action and excitement. If

The most common violation of the Animal

Control Bylaw is allowing an animal to be at large. In 2019, over 2,000 cats and dogs were found running at large by Saskatoon Animal Control Agency officers. (PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES)

a game is going on, a dog can react to that excitement. We want everyone to be safe and not get bitten.”

Know More

To learn more about the Animal Control Bylaw and Dangerous Animals Bylaw, visit the City of

Saskatoon’s Animal Services website, at Saskatoon.ca. You can also call the Saskatoon Animal Control Agency at (306) 385-7387.

POOP IS NOT FERTILIZER! Dog feces do not fertilize the ground and have negative effects on grass and plants. Be a good neighbour and clean up after your pet.