HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLD-11-05
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REPORT
CLERK'S DEPARTMENT
Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
Date: March 7, 2005
Report #: CLD-11-05
File#:
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Subject:
Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act, 2005
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1 . THAT Report CLD-ll-05 be received for information.
Submitted b :
Re"ewed by<2~----=t.R,
Chief Administrative Officer
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CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE,frWIO L 1 C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-6506
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REPORT NO.:CLD-11.QS
PAGE 2
BACKGROUND
On Monday, March 1, 2005 Bill 132, being An Act to amend the Dog Owners' Liability Act to
increase public safety in relation to dogs, including pit bulls, and to make related amendments
to the Animals for Research Act, received 3rd Reading by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
The Short title of this Act is the Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act,
2005.
Generally speaking, the Legislation speaks to the following:
· Expands authority to commence proceedings against an owner of a dog to
include situations where the dog has behaved in a manner that poses a menace
to the safety of persons or domestic animals; or against a person who
contravenes the Act, regulations made under the Act or a court order made
under the Act.
· Courts have been granted the authority to order that a dog be neutered or
spayed.
· Mandatory destroying of a pit bull where the court finds that the pit bull has bitten
or attacked a person or domestic animal or has behaved in a manner that poses
a menace to the safety of persons, or where the owner of the pit bull has
contravened the Act.
· Bans the owning, breeding importing, transferring, abandoning and training to
fight of a pit bull. Provides a grandfather clause for pit bulls owned at the time
the Act comes into force or born within 90 days of the Act coming into force (ie.
restricted pit bulls).
· Provides for controls on pit bulls.
· Grants search and seizure authority to Municipal Law Enforcement Officers, and
others, in specified circumstances.
· Increases fines for individuals, on conviction, to a maximum of $10,000 or
imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or both. Sets fines, for
corporations, on conviction, to a maximum of $60,000.
· Provides for matters relating to proof as to whether a dog is a pit bull for the
purposes of prosecutions.
Recognizing that this Legislation will significantly impact our Animal Services protocol and
administrative procedures, it is Staff's intention to review the new requirements with the Animal
Advisory Committee and representatives of other shelters and report back to Council on this
matter.
At the time this report was written, the Lieutenant Governor had not yet proclaimed the Act into
force.
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