Report on Dogs -

Te Re te CL a een a eee ne het ag

Alderman P.A. Meyer ~ cont'd. Page ~ 2 ~

very difficult. Consequently, "running at large" charges, where the officer

‘

followa the dog home, are becoming more prevalent.

Public Involvement ~ A significant number of complainants..seem quite ready

to have delinquent dogs curbed, but are unwilling to leave their name, hold the

dog (either physically or by enticement) or even point him out when the officer

atrives. I am not sympathetic to these people. Coupled with the aforementioned

enforcement problems it leaves the officer in a situation analogous to asking a
police officer responding to a bank robbery to arrest any people he finds stand~

ing outside on the street. It is true that according to the letter of the

doggy law, standing on the street (without a leash) is a crime. I consider

rigorous and indiscriminate enforcement of that section of the law neither destr-

able nor ‘practical, however.

~ Increasing Court Appearances -

An increasing number of owners of dogs that have been charged are choosing
to go to court - often, in the opinion of the S.P.C.A., with no chance of winning.
This ds their right. However, the current fine structure does not take into
account time lost by the cfficer to appear in court. These costs are borne by
the program and amount to about $40.00 (1 man day) per case.

- Intermunicipai Involvement —-

I have held meetings on the situation as outlined with Alderman Patterson
of Port Moody and Mr. Hosegood of the S.P.C.A. The District of Coquitlan was
invited to participate, but declined. Following these meetings, Mr. Patterson
and myself have agreed to jointly propose to our two Councils the following steps:
Le Increase the impounding fee and the violation notice fine to a flat
$20.00, plus a further $20.00 to defray program court costs if the dog
owner goes to court and is found guilty. The present license fee for

unlicensed delinquent dogu would also be required as previously.

esos cont'd. Page -~3~