Creston residents will have to find new homes for their platypus and anteaters. And, if they have a dolphin in the tub, they should keep quiet about it.
At a special town council meeting on Dec. 8 three readings of the animal care and responsibility bylaw were passed. The bylaw includes a list of species that cannot be kept inside town limits, and specifies the short list of animals that are allowed.
The new bylaw also does away with the previous practice of charging owners of restricted dog breeds a $200 licensing fee.
“Changes in the definition of ‘dangerous dog’ from breed specific to behavior oriented will have a significant impact on those residents that own a dog that is considered a restricted breed,” said the staff report to council. “Under the new bylaw, the owner of a dog that was previously considered a restricted breed (provided that the dog has not injured or attacked any person or animal) will pay $15. This approach is in keeping with the best practices of the SPCA and local governments throughout the province. Note — the Town of Creston issued four restricted breed licenses in 2015.”
Among the key updates to the bylaw is the allowance of four animals in a household. Cats and dogs are permitted in public places on-leash, except in Centennial, Millennium and Burns parks.
Horses now kept on large single family residential (R-1) properties will be grandfathered but when the bylaw is enacted by year-end they will only be allowed on properties zoned as rural residential (R-5) or agricultural (A-1).
Backyard bees and hens are not included in the new bylaw, and council has directed staff to conduct more research and consultation.
The bylaw’s list of prohibited animals makes exceptions for domestic dogs and cats, reptiles and amphibians under two feet long at adult size, horses, potbellied pigs, domestic ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, domestic mice and rats, domestic rabbits, budgies, cockatiels, lovebirds, finches, parrots and canaries.
Council Briefs
•Three readings of the water and sewer rates amendment bylaw were passed. Households will see a total increase of $20 in 2016.
•A letter from a senior resident asking for lower sewer and water rates for single residents was received and discussed.
“Metering is really the only option,” Coun. Jim Elford said. “We have no way of monitoring how many people are living in a residence.”
•At a committee of the whole meeting following the special council meeting, council directed Varela to send a letter expressing dissatisfaction with the town’s share of administrative costs for the Arrow Creek Water Service.
•Council endorsed a strategic plan for Creston Fire Rescue.