A major component of the new animal responsibility bylaw is ensuring outdoor cats don't roam, leading to an increasing feral cat population. (Jimmy B/Flickr)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

procedural

New complaint-driven responsible animal bylaw receives slight provincial tweaks

Jun 9, 2021 | 5:48 AM

NANAIMO — A much-discussed animal bylaw was given third reading for the second time after the province required amendments.

The bylaw is designed to reduce calls to the Nanaimo SPCA by firming up rules about outdoor animals, how many can be kept in one household and animal welfare.

Karen Robertson, deputy city clerk, said the ministry of environment required minor amendments for clarity purposes.

“I think their biggest concern was with the definition of owner. In our current bylaw there’s a lot of ‘Owner shall not do this’ or ‘Owner shall do this’ but the Ministry of Environment is actually considered an owner,” Robertson told councillors on Monday, June 7.

In reply to a question from council about enforcement, Robertson said the bylaw is complaint-driven and it doesn’t mean Nanaimo bylaw officers will be purposefully seeking out infractions.

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“We don’t have the staff to go around and look for these things, so it’s definitely complaint driven. People have to be directly impacted by it. (This) prevents someone who now sees a bylaw in place from pulling out a clipboard and driving around to point out infractions.”

If bylaw officers come across an infraction in the course of their day, Robertson said they would prefer to educate about the bylaw rather than give a ticket.

Councillors unanimously approved the redone third reading of the bylaw.

It’s now set for final adoption at a future city council meeting.

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On Twitter: @reporterholmes