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Dear Mayor and Council Re; Pet Unfriendly By-laws and Harsh Enforcement.
As long time citizens and duly licensed pet owners, we appeal to you for restoration of fairness and reason in the enforcement of Kelowna and District pet owner By-laws. Pet ownership in this community now faces being taxed out of existence or restricted to only the rich.
During a daily morning exercise outing with our two pet dogs, the younger puppy escaped before I could secure its leash. Unfortunately, this is a puppy that enjoys ‘chase’ and ‘keep-away’, with little regard to ‘fetch’ or ‘come’ commands. The bottom line is that I contacted the local Dog Pound for help in capturing my escaped puppy and instead received the label of a ‘guilty offender’; a delinquent dog owner with a sentence of two fines totalling $300.00. When I dared to question the controlling enforcement authority about the reasonableness and fairness of enforcement policy, my further sentence was a harsh lecture about the ‘kindness of the Authorities’ in not levying further fines of $150.00 plus, for disruption of Creekside wild life.
As a pet owner, I have been hearing for some time about ‘pet unfriendly Kelowna’, particularly in relation to park and street access and regulatory attitude. Earlier this month I witnessed this fact first hand. Until that time, I was unaware as to the real and serious nature of the problem. And from all appearances, the problem is becoming worse. By-law enforcement officers are now addressed as ”constables” and sent out to greet the public in Kevlar vests and belts built for the ready addition of side arms and other police ‘apprehension items’. Somehow the civic philosophy of “serve and protect” basic to public service and regulations has been warped in the bureaucratic chain of command: Regulations now have the appearance of ‘an excuse to penalize and tax to the max.’ Surely this is not the intent of you as our community leaders and policy makers.
If our faith in you is correct, then we are sure that you will want to reign in those bureaucrats who would abuse their powers. As our elected representatives, we appeal to you to correct this matter. You have the power and the authority to restore reason and justice in the application of local laws. As a concerned pet owning citizen, we urge you to do so.
Respectfully,
Ian R. Sisett and Marguerite B. Sisett
