The Regional District of Central Okanagan is seeing improved success with its dog licensing program as more and more residents are complying with the bylaw.
Dog owners in the Central Okanagan are required to renew the licence for their pet on or before the last day of February each year. All dogs over the age of three months must be licensed. The District has a zero tolerance approach for those found without a dog licence will receive a fine of $300. The fine can be reduced by $25 if it is paid within 14 days.
In late 2015, there were 2,400 unpaid dog licences from 2014 and dog control staff has stepped up enforcement to ensure owners are in compliance with the regulations. An audit took place in mid-November 2015 as officers visited 900 homes before the holiday season. As a result, 450 accounts were closed and others were given a notice or fine as a result.
In 2015, there were 21,707 dogs licenced within the district, up from 12,778 in 2012. It is estimated that there may be 30,000 to 39,000 dogs in the region and thousands still remain unlicensed. While many still remain unlicensed, the district says that in November and December, 850 ‘new’ dogs were licenced as a result of media coverage and officers in neighbourhoods.
The district encourages licensing as it helps reunite a missing animal with their owner easier, the fees contribute to the operation of the dog pound, it provides public safety in the event of an attack or incident, and the fees support the Central Okanagan SPCA spay and neuter program.
The dog licence audit will continue into 2016 and will help ensure all residents are in compliance with the regulations.
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