Cochrane town council unanimously approved a new animal bylaw on Feb. 25, but not before some amendments were added to address animal attacks.
The move was spurred by the wave of recent dog attacks, some of which were quite severe.
Using Dr. Ian Dunbar’s New Aggression Scale, the bylaw rates animal attacks into a six-level assessment protocol, ranging from level one (growls, but no teeth touch skin), level three (punctures one to three holes, single bite) to level six (any bite resulting in death of an animal).
Fines for such offences run from $250 for an animal causing injury to a person, to a possible $2,500 for a repeated attack on a person causing a severe injury.
Another new aspect of the animal bylaw is that cats, like dogs, now require a licence.
Bylaw officer Charlene Ruttle said some residents questioned why house cats would need to be licensed.
“Even indoor cats get outdoors,” she said during her appearance in council Feb. 25. “It’s their ticket home.”
Ruttle also said the new fine and licensing fees are consistent with surrounding municipalities, as they had looked to Calgary for guidance.
Cat licences will cost $40 for unaltered felines and $15 for altered.
All cat licences purchased from Jan. 28 to April 30 will be free of charge with the exception of those found in contravention of this new bylaw.
A section of River Heights Drive will be closed to traffic, but the road will remain open for travel.
A 30-metre right-of-way was originally slotted for the widening of River Heights Drive, but it has now been determined that 27 metres will suffice.
The area of the road in question lies adjacent to The Willows of River Heights.
The area being closed will eventually be used for the frontages of homes lining the south side of River Heights Drive.
An open house is not legally required for road closures, however, if any residents want to address this matter to council, they will have the right to speak.
