Animal Control in Rossburn
Animal control depends on the Municipality’s
needs and resources available. The goal of the Town of Rossburn’s animal
control by-law is to protect and improve the lives of our residents and animals. While the
Municipality has undertaken responsibility for animal control in Town, it only
works in balance with responsible animal ownership.
The most basic reason for animal
control is to control the spread of disease. There exists the very real threat of acquiring fatal rabies from animals
such as skunks. If you or your pet is
bitten by an animal, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Animal Control Contact
For
animal control issues in Town contact the municipal office directly at 204-859-2779
so that we may determine if the Animal Control Officer is required and
available.
Animal Control Jurisdiction
The animal control by-law mirrors provincial legislation and
provide another layer of protection for residents. However, Rossburn’s animal
control by-law authority does not extend to the neighbouring municipalities or the
First Nations Reserve, and only applies to Town residents and not the rural
area.
Provincial laws
address incidents where dogs are worrying or attacking livestock in the rural
area and the RCMP have the authority to deal with dog attacks on people.
In Manitoba,
animal cruelty and neglect issues are handled by the Province’s Office of the
Chief Veterinarian. Call the Animal Care
Toll Free Line 1-888-945-8001 to report animal welfare concerns of potential
animal abuse or neglect.
Animal Owner Responsibility
So long as Town’s
animal owners are doing their part as responsible pet owner’s, the Municipality
will provide the important service of animal control in Town. Rossburn
welcomes animal ownership, but respectful and responsible ownership is a
must. Primary responsibility remains
with animal owners to appropriately train and secure their animals so as to
prevent them from causing injuries and/or creating nuisances.
If your dog attacks
outside your property and a person or animal is bitten you are liable, and the
person has the right to sue the dog owner. Apart from financial costs, a dog attack can be distressing for everyone
involved, especially when serious injuries result. Should there be a one-time or occasional
incident when your dog gets away on you, then you can rely on the Rossburn’s
animal control to assist. Rossburn’s
animal control cannot solve every incident and cannot react immediately – there
are limitations to the service particularly when it comes to wild animals or
dangerous or starving dogs that are from outside our community.
Responsibility of Dog
Owners in Town
No owners shall:
·
permit their dog to run at large.
·
permit their dog to bark or howl or in any other way unduly disturb the
quiet of any person or persons from 11:00 pm to 8:00 am.
·
permit their dog to defecate on any public or private property other
than the property of its owner. Where a dog defecates on property other than
the property of its owner, the owner shall cause such excrement to be removed
forthwith.
·
permit their dog to defecate on his property in a manner which
constitutes an environmental or health hazard or a nuisance for neighbours.
·
permit their dog to damage public property or private property other
than that of the owner.
·
own, keep, harbour or have possession or control of any dog determined
to be a dangerous animal.
·
permit their dog to pursue, bite, wound or worry any person or animal,
whether or not on the property of the owner.
·
permit their dog on any school ground or playground.
·
permit their dog on public property (including parks) unless the dog is
on a leash and the dog is in the actual custody and effective control of the
owner or a person competent to control it, unless the said public property has
been specifically designated by Council as land upon which dogs are not
required to be on a leash.
·
permit their dog to upset waste receptacles or otherwise litter.
