Dog attacks and feral cats: Here's how the City of Edmonton is revamping its animal bylaw
The City of Edmonton is exploring stricter regulations for dogs and feral cats to address public safety. The review comes as the city's Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw will be revamped after more than 20 years.
Members of the public, which ranged from veterinarians and animal researchers, spoke at Monday's community and public services committee meeting at city hall.
The recommendations made by administration largely focus on animal welfare, dog attacks and bites, restricted dog regulations and cat regulations.
A dog is not deemed restricted until convicted under the bylaw for chasing, attacking or biting potentially resulting in injury.
The bylaw proposes to increase penalties for dog attacks. For instance, fines for a dog chasing a person or animal would go from $100 to $250. For a dog bite or attack, the city recommends maintaining the current $500 fine, but raising a second offence to $1,000.
It also recommends imposing mandatory dog training for some restricted dogs, requiring they get microchipped, and mandating owner reporting for dog bite incidents.
Administration told city councillors that the recommendations were based on two years of research and community engagement with Edmontonians, interested parties and experts.
WATCH | Edmonton's animal bylaw is changing:
Edmonton is updating its 20-year-old animal control bylaw
1 day ago
Duration 2:31
One city councillor is pleased about the proposed increase in fines for dog attacks. An advocate says the city needs to encourage more owners to tag or microchip their pets. A draft bylaw is in front of committee on Monday for feedback.
Coun. Keren Tang said she's heard a surge of concerns about animal safety after a dog attack in her ward led to the death of a child last spring.
"This chilling and tragic incident impacted not just one family, but impacted a whole community," Tang said at the meeting.
"I'm glad to see you're bringing that the penalties up to be more reflective of also other jurisdictions."
Feral cats
A point of contention from public speakers included defining which cats are feral and how to regulate their behaviour.
Feral cats are not defined in the current bylaw, meaning that all cats, regardless of ownership are classified the same.
Administration estimated that up to 70,000 feral cats live in Edmonton.
The bylaw revamp would look at definitions for feral cats, feral cat colonies, and trap-neuter-return programs to reduce the feral cat population.
Amy Wilson, a veterinarian and University of British Columbia adjunct professor, had concerns about roaming cats as a source of disease, with pathogens from their feces persisting in soil and water for years.
"I find that the public is generally completely unaware of this risk. And so by allowing free roaming cats on private and public areas, people are being exposed without their knowledge and without their consent."
She said that trap-neuter-return programs are logistically intensive and are not as effective as people think. And that removal of some cats through adoptions, feral cat sanctuaries, and sometimes euthanasia are needed for programs to be successful.
"If you do want to have any population decrease at all, you need to ensure that 75 to 90 per cent of the population is sterilized at all times, which in most populations is not achievable."
Administration clarified the bylaw would exempt unowned feral cats from licensing requirements.
Colleen Cassady St. Clair, a University of Alberta biologist, said that will help incentivize people to participate in the trap-neuter-return program.
"I realize this view may seem counterintuitive to the goal of controlling feral cats," St. Clair said.
"I have this view because residents who love cats and organizations that are devoted to the welfare of individual animals are unlikely to participate in city sanction programs that euthanize cats."
She said the new bylaw will help different groups work together to control feral populations without removing cats from the community.
The community and public services committee approved the policy direction and administration will prepare and present the new bylaw on August 11.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
35 minutes ago
- CBC
Teacher unions weigh in on public board turmoil as new school year approaches
Social Sharing Following a tumultuous summer for London's largest school board, local teacher unions weighed in on some recent local developments as the new school year approaches. With the upcoming year already affected by budget cuts, teachers and education workers are busy preparing their classrooms for incoming students, said Michael Thomas, president of the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario's (ETFO) Thames Valley branch. "Their creativity, resilience, and dedication are what make me optimistic about the year ahead," he said. The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) has been undergoing major restructuring after the province took control of the board in April, punting locally-elected officials out of the decision-making process and appointing lawyer Paul Bonifero as a supervisor to clean up financial mismanagement and a budget deficit of more than $30 million. Roughly 115 staff positions have been cut, with around 47 being teachers, library and guidance staff, and learning support. The board also recently announced it will allow unqualified education students to be added to supply teacher lists, which are typically filled with experienced retirees. 'Inappropriate measures' continue to be necessary. The board seeking not-yet-qualified first- and second-year education students to join the supply lists speaks to how deep staffing challenges in education have become, Thomas said. In Ontario, there are 40,000 certified teachers who are not currently working in education, he said, adding that this begs the question: Why are so many qualified professionals choosing not to enter or remain in the classroom? Unsustainable workloads, increasing class sizes and lack of support are all contributing factors, he said. "Until those systemic issues are addressed, inappropriate measures like relying on student teachers will continue to be necessary." For secondary schools, student teachers will only be accepted to teach subjects with a shortage of qualified teachers, said John Bernans, local branch president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation. This could include courses on native languages or technology. "By and large, I don't think that there's much impact on our retirees. They're trying to fill some areas of need." Schools stretched thin amid budget cuts. When funding does not match student needs, school boards need to make difficult decisions, Thomas said. This can mean fewer teachers and education workers, larger classes and less specialized programming, all of which directly impacts students most directly, he said. According to data from ETFO, 95 per cent of schools require more mental health support, and 77 per cent of ETFO members have personally experienced violence at school or witnessed it against another staff member. "Cuts to funding have compounded annually since 2019, leaving schools stretched thinner and families concerned about the level of support their children receive." Union officials will be watching closely as under-funding creates larger gaps in student support, he said. In secondary schools, staffing cuts are largely affecting areas such as learning support, guidance and libraries —positions that help to support important areas like special education and student mental health, as well as technology and extra curricular activities. The absence of these supports will be especially felt by low-income families, Bernans said. "I think we can anticipate worsening problems with violence in schools and dysregulated students," he said. "That's been an ongoing issue and I don't think it's going to get any better given the cuts that have had to be implemented in order to try to balance the budget." This is not limited to TVDSB, Bernans added, pointing out that 40 per cent of school boards in the province are in a deficit. Still, it's a fundamental problem that will start having a bigger impact on students, he said. Teachers still optimistic, unions say. Despite ongoing and anticipated issues, both elementary and secondary teachers are looking forward to the start of the new year, both union heads said. TVDSB is dedicated to helping find solutions to budget constraints, Thomas said, adding that the ETFO will be working closely with the board to ensure teachers' and students' needs are being met. OSSTF members are also feeling optimistic, Bernans said, working with the board to place a greater emphasis on teachers' professional judgment and fostering increased expectations for students. "We are hopeful that we'll make some ground there and improve things that way," Bernans said.
CBC
44 minutes ago
- CBC
Some housing projects in limbo after N.S. rejection of Halifax's regional plan, mayor says
Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore said Tuesday that the Nova Scotia government's rejection of the city's regional plan has paused some housing projects. "We've got projects, a significant number of units that have foundations poured or floors framed up that needed the regional plan amendments in the new version of the plan to be adopted in order to finish the project," Fillmore told reporters ahead of a staff presentation on the plan. "So we have a situation of limbo." Halifax's new plan to guide growth in the region was passed by council in June and would have changed a slew of bylaws and land-use planning documents across Halifax Regional Municipality, updating the 2014 regional plan that was last amended in May. But last week, Nova Scotia Municipal Affairs Minister John Lohr rejected it, saying certain environmental rules would stall development. Thousands of units impacted During the staff presentation Tuesday evening, Halifax planning director Jacqueline Hamilton told council the province's rejection of the plan impacts thousands of housing units. Hamilton said in just one category, the delay affects 12 projects creating 2,000 housing units. "That's sort of the order of magnitude … it's in the thousands of units certainly that are impacted. That's sort of what we know today, that's the caveat. There would be folks who wouldn't even be talking to us yet that would be awaiting that. I'm sure that's only the tip of the iceberg." Some councillors expressed disappointment that the province rejected the regional plan, which took five years to create. 'I think the baby went out with the bathwater' "I think the baby went out with the bathwater here, very clearly, in terms of housing over the sake of setbacks around lakes and EV chargers," said Coun. Sam Austin. "We could have amended those rather than rejecting the whole thing and creating this level of chaos. I don't think this was helpful or productive." Lohr said he was specifically concerned with two items in the plan: expanding development setbacks around watercourses to 30 metres from 20 and requiring electric vehicle parking spaces in new homes and apartments. "We felt that the focus of the plan needed to be building up density and building affordability in — and those were two examples of things that were not doing that," Lohr told CBC News on Monday. Coun. Tony Mancini said he took issue with the province's objection to the 30-metre setback. "Coun. Austin and I represent the City of Lakes. As Dartmouthians, to hear that, that's just a kick in the teeth that they don't care. It's the protection of our lakes," Mancini said. "Our lakes are stressed. They're stressed because of two things: climate change, and they're stressed because of development." Fillmore said he is working with the provincial government to try to understand its objections to the plan. He's hoping council can make changes that will make the plan "palatable" to the province. Construction group wants consultation In a letter to the municipality on Aug. 5, three days before Lohr's rejection, the Construction Association of Nova Scotia raised the same issues that the minister addressed. The group told CBC News those changes could drive up housing costs and said it wants to be consulted moving forward. "It's always unfortunate when you see one government level having to kind of delve into the business of another government. Having said that, you know, the plan that was put forward really had no consultation with industry in terms of broad-based consultation," Duncan Williams, president and CEO of the association, said Monday. Williams said he doesn't necessarily object to the new regional plan, but he has questions about how it would be implemented, how appeals would be processed and how the public would be informed about cost implications of the changes. Mayor optimistic, hoping to improve regional plan "There's an opportunity here to set up a working group that has industry professionals at the table so that we could properly give input [and] guide the process. We can't continue to build plans in a vacuum. And that's really what it feels like," he said. Fillmore said he's optimistic about conversations he's had with provincial ministers about getting the regional plan approved and getting homes built. The mayor said Halifax has to be able to accommodate growth up to one million people while protecting the environment and making sure homes can be built. "The truth is, we need to be building 8,000 homes a year for the next number of years, as many as five or six years. Last year, we barely cracked 3,000," Fillmore said. He said he still believes in the regional plan, but that he's always interested in improving a plan. He said his goal is to "get it done as quickly as possible." Hamilton said staff will come back to council once they get direction from the province on next steps. Fillmore said he hopes to have a revised plan to the province before the Christmas holiday recess.
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Trump to nominate top economic aide Stephen Miran to fill open spot on Federal Reserve board
U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he will nominate a top economic adviser to the Federal Reserve's board of governors for four months, temporarily filling a vacancy while continuing his search for a longer-term appointment. Mr. Trump said he has named Stephen Miran, the chair of the White House's Council of Economic Advisers, to fill a seat vacated by governor Adriana Kugler, a Biden appointee who is stepping down Friday. Mr. Miran, if approved by the Senate, will serve until January 31, 2026. The appointment is Mr. Trump's first opportunity to exert more control over the Fed, one of the few remaining independent federal agencies. Mr. Trump has relentlessly criticized the current chair, Jerome Powell, for keeping short-term interest rates unchanged, calling him 'a stubborn MORON' last week on social media. Mr. Miran has been a major defender of Mr. Trump's income-tax cuts and tariff hikes, arguing that the combination will generate enough economic growth to reduce budget deficits. He also has played down the risk of Mr. Trump's tariffs generating higher inflation, a major source of concern for Mr. Powell. Trump calls on Federal Reserve board to usurp Powell and take control of central bank The choice of Mr. Miran may heighten concerns about political influence over the Fed, which has traditionally been insulated from day-to-day politics. Fed independence is generally seen as key to ensuring that it can take difficult steps to combat inflation, such as raising interest rates, that politicians might be unwilling to take. Federal Reserve governors vote on all the central bank's interest-rate decisions, as well as its financial regulatory policies. Mr. Miran's nomination, if approved, would add a near-certain vote in support of lower interest rates. Ms. Kugler had echoed Mr. Powell's view that the Fed should keep rates unchanged and further evaluate the impact of tariffs on the economy before making any moves. Mr. Trump has said he will appoint a Fed chair who will cut interest rates, which he says will reduce the borrowing costs of the federal government's huge US$36-trillion debt pile. Mr. Trump also wants lower rates to boost moribund home sales, which have been held back partly by higher mortgage costs. Yet the Fed doesn't directly set longer-term interest rates for things like home and car purchases. At its most recent meeting last week Fed officials kept their key rate unchanged at 4.3 per cent, where it has stood after three rate cuts late last year. But two Fed governors – Christopher Waller and Michelle Bowman – dissented from that decision. Both were appointed by Mr. Trump in his first term. Opinion: A scary chart shows why diminished Fed independence may outlast this administration Still, even with Mr. Miran on the board, 12 Fed officials vote on interest-rate policy and many remain concerned that Mr. Trump's sweeping tariffs could push inflation higher in the coming months. Mr. Miran could be renominated to a longer term on the Fed once his initial appointment is concluded, or replaced by another nominee. Mr. Powell's term as chair ends in May 2026. Yet, Mr. Powell could remain on the board of governors until January 2028, even after he steps down as chair. That would deny, or at least delay, an opportunity for Mr. Trump to appoint an additional policymaker to the Fed's board. As a result, one option for Mr. Trump is to appoint Mr. Powell's eventual replacement as chair to replace Ms. Kugler once the remaining four months of her term are completed. Leading candidates for that position include Kevin Warsh, a former Fed governor from 2006 to 2011 and frequent critic of Mr. Powell's chairmanship, and Kevin Hassett, another top Trump economic adviser. Another option for the White House would be to select Mr. Waller, who is already on the board, to replace Mr. Powell, and who has been widely mentioned as a candidate. Marco Casiraghi, senior economist at investment bank Evercore ISI, noted that the choice of Mr. Miran could be a positive sign for Mr. Waller, because Mr. Trump did not take the opportunity to nominate someone likely to become chair once Mr. Powell steps down. After the July jobs report was released last Friday, Mr. Miran criticized the Fed chair for not cutting benchmark interest rates, saying that Mr. Trump had been proven correct on inflation during his first term and would be again. The President has pressured Mr. Powell to cut short-term interest rates under the belief that his tariffs will not fuel higher inflationary pressures. 'What we're seeing now in real time is a repetition once again of this pattern where the president will end up having been proven right,' Mr. Miran said on MSNBC. 'And the Fed will, with a lag and probably quite too late, eventually catch up to the President's view.' Last year, Mr. Miran expressed support for some unconventional economic views in commentaries on the Fed and international economics. Last November, he proposed measures that would reduce the value of the dollar in order to boost exports, reduce imports and cut the U.S. trade deficit, a top priority for Mr. Trump. He also suggested tariffs could push U.S. trading partners, such as the European Union and Japan, to accept a cheaper dollar as part of a 'Mar-a-Lago Accord,' an echo of the Plaza Accord reached in the 1980s that lowered the dollar's value. As a fellow at the conservative Manhattan Institute, Mr. Miran in March, 2024 also proposed overhauling the Fed's governance, including by making it easier for a president to fire members of its board of governors. 'The Fed's current governance has facilitated groupthink that has led to significant monetary-policy errors,' Mr. Miran wrote in a paper with Dan Katz, now a top official at the Treasury Department.
