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Dangerous dog bylaw coming to North Shuswap

CSRD directors voted unanimously to initiate a dog control service in Area F that is limited to dangerous dog complaints.

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District is biting down on a vicious dog problem in the North Shuswap.

CSRD directors voted unanimously at the July 18 meeting to initiate a dog control service in Area F that is limited to dangerous dog complaints.

“We’re following the Thompson-Nicola Regional District’s lead on this, we gleaned information from them,” Gary Holte, manager of environment and engineering services told directors. “This is limited to dangerous dogs only; it’s not the full-meal deal we have in area C (South Shuswap) and Ranchero.”

Area F director Larry Morgan, who requested the limited service, said he has received many emails and phone calls and been stopped in the street by people who have been intimidated by dogs.

“One of my neighbours was bitten in Scotch Creek and just last weekend, a woman in Magna Bay was attacked by four dogs,” Morgan said. “When the RCMP respond to calls, the contractor is there to look after the animals and the cost to the taxpayer is about $3.16 per year.”

Area D Falkland, Silver Creek, Ranchero director René Talbot supported Morgan, saying more than 300 people gave a raucous and resounding thumbs down to the idea in Falkland.

“It was terrible,” he said of the meeting. “And only a couple of days later, one of the people against it had to shoot a pit bull that came after him.”

“The estimated cost of a dog control contractor to provide the proposed service for Area F in 2014 is $10,000, based on 15 dangerous calls per year,” said Holte in his report to the board. “As the tax is apportioned on improvements only, property owners with vacant lots will not pay for this service.”

The regional district will launch a campaign in early 2014 to educate the public in Area F about the new service.