Okotoks council has opted not to pursue a bylaw to control cats at-large at this time.
At its May 10 meeting, council asked administration to investigate potential partnership with the City of Calgary on a facility to house cats found roaming in town and indicated the pet ownership bylaw could be revisited in June.
The decision was made following a presentation from Okotoks resident Avinash Kowshik, who had expressed concern about cats roaming in residential neighbourhoods, leaving behind toxic feces in vegetable gardens and on lawns, and disrupting native species.
“Cats are extremely destructive to biodiversity, as past predatory instincts motivate them to hunt native birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles,” said Kowshik at the May 10 meeting. “This is dangerous for both the cat and for local wildlife.”
Peter Stapley, manager of Okotoks Municipal Enforcement, said administration could look into that partnership, but at this time officers do not have authority under the bylaw to seize, capture or regulate cats.
“What we are asking for is council’s direction on whether or not we would like to review policies on capturing and seizing cats,” said Stapley at the June 14 council meeting.
The pet ownership bylaw would have to be amended to allow municipal enforcement to handle cats at-large as they do dogs.
Coun. Florence Christophers said it’s probably not the right time to take on changes to the policy.
“I don’t see this as a huge priority right now at the end of this term,” said Christophers. “Maybe this could come back for the new council and they could connect with the community and see if this is a priority for council to direct administration to do research into, what does it look like when communities decide to not just monitor dogs.”
CAO Elaine Vincent said council is currently heading into its new strategic planning cycle, which focuses on the outcomes council wants to see within the community over a five-year period.
Part of the strategic planning process is prioritizing items and objectives, and the pet bylaw could be added to that discussion, she said.
“It needs to become a part of the discussion about strategic planning and then the outcomes that council wants for the community,” said Vincent. “If it’s a priority, it will naturally arise there.
Coun. Ed Sands said looking into it as part of strategic planning is the right move.
The issue has been around for more than a century, he said, noting research into early council meetings indicated a bylaw at the inaugural 1904 council meeting of the Town of Okotoks dealt with controlling dogs running at-large in the community.
“If you think this is new or if you think it’s going to go away, you’re wrong,” said Sands. “I would certainly support this to be wholesomely considered in a broader strategic perspective.”
Council opted to receive the report from Stapley as information and not review the pet ownership bylaw at this time. It may come forward as part of the strategic planning in the future.
