The City of Surrey hopes to govern dangerous dogs by adopting a new bylaw.
The topic of dangerous dogs, mainly Pitbulls, has been a controversial issue in the city to say the least.
Instead of going to the extreme and banning a particular breed, Surrey has introduced a law that will allow them to take action and issue fines if necessary.
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Dogs in the city will now fall under four types of classifications: normal, aggressive, vicious, and dangerous.
Prior to the new bylaw, a dog would be deemed dangerous if it were to physically attack someone. Now, the law allows the city to take action when a dog is behaving aggressively.
The city will also have authority to force owners to seek professional trainers, a muzzle, or confine the dog. In addition, owners may be told to place warning signs on their property.
Infraction fines will now be up to $1,000. If a dog is deemed dangerous, licensing fees could be up to $500, a hefty price compared to $43 for a normal license.
In intense situations, dogs can also be seized and euthanized.
