Skip to content

Dog bylaw fine is too high

I wanted to respond to articles in the Red Deer Advocate regarding the severe fines and penalties for pets caught wandering at large in the off-leash parks.

I wanted to respond to articles in the Red Deer Advocate regarding the severe fines and penalties for pets caught wandering at large in the off-leash parks.

As a dog owner who goes to the off-leash park often, I am very concerned that:

• I could get such a fine at any time when going to the off-leash park with my dogs;

• The bylaw does not state that out of sight is the same as out of control;

• The fines are excessive compared to other municipalities in Alberta: warnings are issued in Edmonton and Calgary for first offence, and $50 for second and third offence; a $250 fine and $42 impound fee is issued for first offence in Red Deer, and $500 for second and $700 for the third offence.

I am concerned that these fines are excessive for a situation that happens all the time in an off-leash park, most of all when the bylaw doesn’t state that out of control is the equivalent of out of sight.

Kathleen Weary

Red Deer