Cold Lake, AB – Residents licensing a dog or cat in Cold Lake will not be required to pay the 2023 licensing fee, after City Council gave third and final reading to a newly-updated Animal Care and Control bylaw at its regular meeting on August 23. The bylaw allows dog and cat owners to receive their 2023 license for no charge. Council also approved waiving all licensing fees for the remainder of 2022. Other noteworthy updates to the bylaw include:

Animal Care and Control Centre

The newly-constructed animal intake control facility has been designated as the Animal Care and Control Centre (ACCC). Operated by the City, the facility is adjacent to the former home of the Lakeland Humane Society in Cold Lake South. After numerous delays due to material shortages, construction is nearly complete and the building will soon be ready for occupancy. It will serve as a temporary intake and holding facility where animals can be impounded for a limited period of time. Under the updated regulations, an officer may seize an animal that is running at large or found to be in contravention of the bylaw and impound that animal at the ACCC. Animals with identification will be held up to 10 days, while animals without ID will be held up to 3 days. Owners will be required to provide proof of a valid animal license to claim their pet, or purchase an annual license if the animal is not currently licensed. Other fees include a $50 animal intake fee and a $20/day care fee, plus any veterinary fees if the animal is found to be sick or in distress.

“The purpose of this new facility is not to be an animal shelter, but just a temporary stop before the animal is either reunited with its owner or transferred to a proper shelter where it can be adopted out”, said Mayor Craig Copeland.

Vicious Animal Designation

The owner of a designated “vicious animal” must, along with all requirements of the previous Animal Care and Control bylaw:

• Post “Beware of Dog” signs at all entrances to their property,
• Ensure the dog does not chase, pursue, injure or bite a person or other animal,
• Prevent the dog from running at large at all times,
• Notify the City immediately if they become aware that the dog is running at large.

Vicious animals are those which have been identified by enforcement officers as having the potential to chase, attack, bite or injure people or other animals without provocation. Owners of designated vicious animals must, among other conditions, obtain a vicious animal license and provide third-party liability coverage of at least $500,000 for any injuries caused by the animal.

Enforcement of bylaw

In addition to all enforcement provisions of the previous bylaw, enforcement officers now have the option of issuing provincial violation tickets to animal owners, which require payment of a fine or appearance in provincial court. Tickets can be issued at the discretion of the officer when an animal has caused public nuisance as a result of excessive noise or being at large on three or more occasions within one calendar year. In extreme cases, the enforcement officer may request that the court issue a destruction order for the animal.

“Owning an animal comes with significant responsibility and it’s important that people and pets are able to live in safety and harmony in Cold Lake,” said Copeland. “Animals roaming free and dogs barking at all hours of the day and night really becomes a nuisance and takes a significant toll on the quality of life of our residents. We think this updated bylaw will give our City staff the tools to better regulate pet ownership in the city and enforce the rules when they need to.”

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