On Wednesday, the Central Cariboo Rural Caucus who is made up of Cariboo RD Areas D, E, F, J and K Directors will meet and one topic up for discussion is whether to proceed with a feasibility study to regulate the conduct of aggressive dogs in rural areas. The actual motion under consideration is:
That a feasibility study be conducted to see what options there may be for aggressive dog control within the Cariboo Regional District, including an option to contract with the SCPA to undertake dog control activities within densely populated fringe areas within our region. (April 25 2012 mtg)
From my numerous conversations with Area D Director Deb Bischoff - she has informed me that both her and Area E Director Byron Kemp have had a few complaints about either aggressive dogs or dogs on the run in densified areas like Fox Mountain, Pine Valley, Wildwood and Mountview.
My own advice to her is that regulating this in rural areas, as I just mentioned, could become cost prohibitive ($100,000+) to deal with a handful of complaints in addition to the fact that no law is going to change the behaviour of one individual if he/she feels that they have a 'God-given' right to live how they want, regardless of any rule imposed on them. I would prefer myself a local community-based solution, rather than one imposed by local government, unless the community itself with one voice says - We want regulation of aggressive dogs and free-running dogs
Finally - the Thompson-Nicola Regional District has been looking into this issue as well and several rural directors in that Regional District have pulled their support as the cost skyrockets to bring a dog control officer into the rural areas of the TNRD. The RCMP, like here, have already stated that this is not a priority for them. Read more here
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