(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
March 11, 2019 - 3:02 PM
VERNON - It's an all-too-common sight in the hot summer months: A panting dog stuck in a boiling car as the blazing sun bears down on them. The Vernon SPCA is pitching bylaw amendments to combat this problem, among others.
Chelsea Taylor, branch manager with the Vernon branch of the B.C. SPCA, spoke at the regular meeting of city council today, March 11. She recommended amending the Animal Pound Bylaw 5252 to better protect animals in the area.
Taylor's major suggestion was to disallow keeping animals in enclosed spaces, particularly vehicles, without sufficient ventilation. Taylor said the Vernon SPCA received 334 calls to the Animal Cruelty hotline in 2018, and 23 of those were related to animals being left in hot vehicles, while 46 calls were connected to animals living in inadequate shelters.
She said the association can investigate these reports, but because of the current bylaw, they lack enforcement powers. Amending the bylaw to forbid restricting animals in hot cars would give the SPCA and bylaw enforcement officers more authority to address these problems.
Taylor also asked council to amend the bylaw to include a provision of basic care and shelter, and a prohibition or restriction on unattended tethering.
Coun. Kelly Fehr thanked Taylor for her presentation and the service the SPCA provides.
"You guys run a great facility," he said. "It's inspirational."
An administration report on Taylor's recommendations will be submitted at the next regular council meeting later this month.
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