(SHANNON QUESNEL / iNFOnews.ca)
December 10, 2013 - 1:22 PM
CENTRAL OKANAGAN - After offering free pet licenses in October, the RDCO has come up with another incentive to get pet owners to register their animals — increased fines.
The Regional District announced those caught with unlicensed pets will face increased fines to $300 from the current $100 beginning January 1, 2014. As well, the Regional District approved a zero tolerance policy, which means being ticketed to the full amount, no exceptions.
"During October, we provided more than 3,600 free 2013 dog licenses to previously unlicensed dog owners through the ‘Are You Harbouring a Fugitive’ month long amnesty," Communications Officer for the RDCO Bruce Smith said. "That hugely successful program alone saw the number of dogs licensed increase by almost 30 per cent.”
Smith said the Regional District also offered owners with licenses access to the My Dog Matters Responsible Dog Owners Reward Program which allowed folks with the reward card to discounts at 35 participating businesses listed on the mydogmatters.ca website. He notes the savings could offset the annual cost of a license.
Fines can be avoided by registering at the Regional District officer at 1450 KLO Road, or the Regional Dog Pound, at 890 Weddell Place in Kelowna. Tags purchased now will be good until the end of 2014. The cost is $20 for a dog that's been spayed or neutered, and $60 for those that haven't.
At the meeting January 16, the Regional Board will be asked to consider a new Responsible Dog Ownership Bylaw to further encourage compliance. At that time an online survey will be available and an Information meeting will be scheduled and advertised for community input.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013