Sask. RM criticized for bylaw change suggesting landowners can shoot trespassing dogs
A petition with hundreds of signatures is circulating online, criticizing a bylaw change in the Rural Municipality of Porcupine that seems to allow rural property owners to kill any unknown, unattended dogs on their land.
The RM made the rule change in May, which suggests dogs found roaming unattended may be shot if trespassing on someone’s property or on roads adjoining the lands.
The Mayor of Porcupine Plain said the bylaw is not applicable in town, even though stray dogs are a common resident concern.
“It’s nuisance dogs. People frequently are concerned about dogs roaming, and occasionally aggressive dogs. And it’s probably one of the harder things for us, to deal with,” Mayor Nick Wood said.
The bylaw caught the attention of Regina resident Angie McGarry who started an online petition, garnering 2,500 signatures as of Thursday afternoon.
“I can sit with the owners of Porcupine Plain or any other RM and explain, ‘If your dog is loose, these are the consequences,’ and because they’re human, they understand that,” McGarry said.
“I can sit with the dog all day long and say, ‘If you go past this fence, here’s what’s going to happen to you.’ And they don’t understand. So you can’t rationalize with a dog."
McGarry does not believe the bylaw is legal, citing Saskatchewan’s Stray Animals Act, which includes other options before terminating an animal.
RM of Porcupine Reeve Steve Kwiatkowski said the bylaw does not mean it is open season on dogs, instead calling it a deterrent for dog owners.
He added that a landowner took issue with one nuisance dog taking down wildlife, and they wanted to rectify the situation quickly.
“We will be definitely talking about it. I do agree, some of the wording is, maybe not quite right. But at the end of the day, nobody, nobody, today, has given any indication or ideas that fix the problem,” Kwiatkowski said.
The reeve said the RM will talk about the bylaw wording at its upcoming council meeting on Sept. 1. Discussions surrounding the wording of the bylaw will be heard.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.