Airdrie’s dog control bylaw is not changing.
Airdrie City council voted to maintain the status quo after staff presented a report, March 18, on the number of dog bites and attacks that have taken place in Airdrie over the last five years.
“I don’t think there is anything out of the ordinary … that would make us have to come up with a (more stringent) bylaw for dogs,” said Alderman Glenda Alexander.
Council directed staff to provide a report on dog incidents in January, after a rash of dog bites, mostly involving pit bulls, took place earlier this year.
According to staff, from 2008 to February, 2013, there have been 45 recorded incidents in Airdrie related to dog bites. Staff determined the breed of the dogs in 21 of the incidents. A variety of breeds were represented, including Chihuahuas, pit bulls, retrievers, spaniels, huskies and crosses.
According to the report, five dogs were euthanized by their owners in the last five years. Two of these cases involved dogs biting people, while three involved dogs biting other dogs.
A particular breed cannot be singled out as a main perpetrator of the bites and attacks, said Darryl Poburan, the City’s manager of municipal enforcement.
“There’s no clear (indication of) a breed being more vicious than another,” he said.
Alexander said she originally requested council provide a report after getting feedback from residents. She then asked if Airdrie staff members feel there is a necessity for more stringent rules.
“Our bylaw is 20 years old, and I believe it could be changed, but would it change things? Probably not,” responded Poburan.
“It’s the owner and how they maintain that dog and train that dog.”
Poburan said a “lot of dog bites happen” in off-leash areas, adding there is a risk in those locations.
Mayor Peter Brown said the number of dog bite incidents doesn’t justify changing the bylaw.
Brown said the City currently hands out fines for dog bites and attacks. If a dog bites another animal, its owner is liable for a fine of $350 when a dog causes harm to another animal, according to the current bylaw.
