City hall is working on a new bylaw that combines two dog-related policies and provides clearer instructions to pet owners about the age at which they must license their pooches.
Cities across Canada require pet owners to acquire licences for their dogs between three and six months of age, but the City of Moose Jaw’s dog bylaw does not prescribe any age limit for licensing purposes, a city council report explained.
The bylaw does not impose an age limit on owners to register their dogs, leaving residents to register their mutts when they take ownership of the animal. Meanwhile, the licensing fee is related to the dog’s sterilization status on the registration date.
“Despite the lack of prescribed age limit, the practice of the city is not to require a licence for very young puppies. However, it would be better to specify the age at which registration is required,” the report said.
City administration provided a report during the July 24 regular meeting about licensing dogs at certain ages based on an inquiry Coun. Kim Robinson submitted in June.
He noted that veterinarians recommend small breeds be spayed or neutered no earlier than six months, while larger breeds should wait until they’re 16 to 18 months to have surgery because they mature later. The councillor also pointed out that these age recommendations are for the long-term health of the canine, so it makes sense to fix the age between six to 12 months before a dog licence is required.
City administration is drafting a new bylaw that would bring the Dog Bylaw and Dangerous Dog Bylaw under one new policy, said the report. A new bylaw would update and modernize both policies, passed in 1987 and 2006, respectively.
“In the new bylaw, provisions have been made for the age limit for licensing dogs. The proposed age limit is six months, which can be changed as per council direction,” the report added.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, Aug. 14.
