By Leann Graham
Town of Stettler
Bylaw officer Kevin Duval with Alberta Animal and Municipal Enforcement Services would like to encourage all animal owners to ensure all dogs and cats are wearing a collar, proper identification and be on a leash when outside.
A leash is the first line of defence against unexpected situations that might arise outside. Having control of your dog or cat on a leash will allow you to quickly and safely remove your animal from any possible harm, such as a passing vehicle or a negative encounter with another animal.
Proper identification is also key. Ensure your dog or cat wears a collar with a current town dog or cat tag and a personal-identification tag with your phone number.
By doing so, any citizen, the town or Alberta Animal Services can contact you to reunite you with your animal quickly and safely.
For residents who wish to run their dog off leash, the Town of Stettler offers an off-leash park located next to the Stettler Auction Mart (corner of 52 Avenue and 42 Street). Please be courteous and respectful of other patrons and dogs who might be using the off-leash park when you arrive.
Also, remember to keep the park as clean as possible. Please remove any feces that your dog might produce while at the park.
Finally, it’s the law. Should your dog or cat be observed off leash in any park in Stettler, other than the off-leash park, or not be wearing a collar with a current year animal tag, an owner or person in care and control of the animal can be issued a violation ticket as per the dog and cat bylaws.
Any dog or cat found running off leash, and for which an owner can’t be found, will be impounded at Alberta Animal and Municipal Enforcement Services main office located at 4640 61 Street, Red Deer. A profile of the impounded animal will be placed on a nationwide website called Petlynx (petlynx.com).
For further information about the dog or cat bylaws, or to report any animal concerns, please contact the Stettler town office at 403-742-8305 or Alberta Animal and Municipal Enforcement Services at 1-866-340-2388.