New Iqaluit bylaw gets tough on dog owners

Iqaluit’s chief municipal enforcement officer Kevin Sloboda says if local residents can’t be responsible for their dogs, they’ll pay the price. (FILE PHOTO)

Iqaluit dog owners: prepare to be more responsible.

In one of its last acts before the Oct. 19 municipal election, Iqaluit city council has made the Responsible Pet Bylaw the official law of the land.

The animal bylaw, which was sent back multiple times for amendments, passed third and final reading at a council meeting Oct. 13.

It grants municipal officers new authorities to control non-compliant pets and allows for increased fines for non-compliant owners.

Loose animals — most commonly dogs — that are found on public property, either off-leash or deemed “at-large” by municipal officers, will now be impounded at the owner’s expense.

Animals caught without an Iqaluit-issued license will also net their owners a $100 fine.

Owners of dogs caught biting or attacking someone will pay a minimum $200 fine —the owner will also have to obtain a “vicious animal” license for that animal by the city and any recurring offenses will be met with higher fines handed out by municipal enforcement.

For example, a vicious animal found running at large will net a $1,000 fine by the city.

Repeat attacks or bites by a vicious animal will levy a minimum $1,500 fine.

Municipal officers will also be allowed to detain vicious animals indefinitely at their discretion.

The new bylaw will also create a framework for municipal officers to fine owners for cruelty to animals, including those found to be provoking, administering inhumane treatment or neglecting their pets.

“We’re going to make you responsible for your dog, and if you’re not going to be responsible for your dog, then decisions will be put into place to remove the dogs so that you don’t have them,” chief municipal enforcement officer Kevin Sloboda said during an earlier reading of the bylaw to council on Sept. 24.

The final meeting for this current city council is scheduled for Oct. 27 — eight days after the municipal election.

A new mayor and council will take over governance of Nunavut’s capital city in November.