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HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter 408 - Animals - RegulationKITCHENER 408.1 FEBRUARY 2024 GENERAL Chapter 408 ANIMALS - REGULATION Article 1 INTERPRETATION 408.1.1 Animal - defined 408.1.2 Animal Designation Appeal Committee - defined 408.1.3 Cat - defined 408.1.4 City - defined 408.1.5 Council - defined 408.1.6 Exterior side lot line - defined 408.1.7 Exterior side yard - defined 408.1.8 Feed or Feeding - defined 408.1.9 Feeding device - Wild animal - defined 408.1.10 Food - Wild animal - defined 408.1.11 Fowl - defined 408.1.12 Harbour and Harbouring - defined 408.1.13 Hen(s) - defined 408.1.14 Interior side lot line - defined 408.1.15 Interior side yard - defined 408.1.16 Kitten - defined 408.1.17 Lot - defined 408.1.18 Order - defined 408.1.19 Owner - defined 408.1.20 Owner of hens - defined 408.1.21 Owner(s) of property on which hens are kept - defined 408.1.22 Poundkeeper - defined 408.1.23 Rear lot line - defined 408.1.24 Rear yard - defined ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.2 FEBRUARY 2024 408.1.25 Wild Animal - defined 408.1.26 Zoning By-law – defined 408.1.27 Administrative penalty by-law – defined 408.1.28 Designated provision – defined Article 2 GENERAL PROVISIONS 408.2.1 Running at large - prohibited - owner responsibility 408.2.2 Running at large - conditions 408.2.3 Leash - length 408.2.4 Excrement - removal by owner - upon defecation 408.2.5 Attack - fighting - prohibited 408.2.6 Trespass by animal - prohibited 408.2.7 Slaughter house - location - restrictions 408.2.8 Permitted animals 408.2.9 Restricted animal 408.2.10 Prohibited animal 408.2.11 Prohibited animal - keeping - offence 408.2.12 Restricted animal - keeping requirements 408.2.13 Prohibited - restricted animal - exceptions 408.2.14 Animal Designation Appeal Committee - hearing 408.2.15 Request for hearing 408.2.16 Animal Designation Appeal Committee - decision 408.2.17 Hearing evidence 408.2.18 Entry - Inspection - right Article 3 PIGEONS - RABBITS 408.3.1 Enclosure - requirements 408.3.2 Enclosure - existing - location - exemption 408.3.3 Enclosure - maintained sanitary - feed - waste storage 408.3.4 Pigeons - in City - prohibited - rabbits - limitation ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.3 FEBRUARY 2024 408.3.5 Agricultural land - exemption 408.3.6 Permitted use - by Zoning By-law - exemption 408.3.7 Pigeon keeping - exemption - conditions 408.3.8 Infection - communicable disease - responsibility 408.3.9 Pigeon keeping - exemption revoked - permanent Article 4 CATS 408.4.1 Harbouring - causing nuisance - prohibited 408.4.2 Keeping - conditions adverse to health - prohibited 408.4.3 Nuisance - order - issued - reduction of cats 408.4.4 Health concerns - order - issued - reduction of cats 408.4.5 Order - information - requirements 408.4.6 Order - appeal - deadline 408.4.7 Appeal - hearing - time frame 408.4.8 Appeal - non-attendance - dismissal - adjourned 408.4.9 Order - modified by Committee 408.4.10 Order - ratified by Council - effective 408.4.11 Order - non-compliance 408.4.12 Failure to comply - action by City 408.4.13 Poundkeeper - cat - removal - not returned 408.4.14 Keeping number other than specified - prohibited Article 5 IMPOUNDING ANIMALS 408.5.1 Running at large - seizure - impounding 408.5.2 Animal impounded - record kept - by Poundkeeper 408.5.3 Animal impounded - restored to owner - deadline 408.5.4 Impound fees 408.5.5 Female - in heat - running at large - impound duration 408.5.6 Impound animal - not tagged - immunized 408.5.7 Animal impounded - owner liable - for all fees ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.4 FEBRUARY 2024 408.5.8 Animal not claimed - sale - disposed 408.5.9 Animal impounded - injured - destroyed Article 6 FEEDING - WILD ANIMAL 408.6.1. Nuisance to - owner/occupant of any property 408.6.2 Removal of food - owner/occupant of property 408.6.3 Feeding device - not allowed - any property 408.6.4 Removal of feeding device - owner/occupant - any property 408.6.5 Feeding Wild Birds - Duties of owner/occupant of property Article 7 ENFORCEMENT 408.7.1 Fine - for contravention Article 8 SEVERABILITY 408.8.1 Validity 408.8.2 Administrative Penalty By-law application 408.8.3 Administrative Penalty By-law penalty notice 408.8.4 Provincial Offences Act 408.8.5 Non-payment Article 9 REPEAL 408.9.1 By-law - previous ______ ______ ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.5 FEBRUARY 2024 Article 1 INTERPRETATION 408.1.1 Animal - defined “animal” means any member of the animal kingdom, other than a human, but does not include a dog over the age of twelve weeks except when otherwise indicated. 408.1.2 Animal Designation Appeal Committee - defined “Animal Designation Appeal Committee” means the Committee appointed by Council to perform functions and conduct appeal hearings as set out in this Chapter. 408.1.3 Cat - defined “cat” means any registered purebred or common domestic cat, male or female, over the age of twelve weeks unless otherwise specified by this Chapter and shall include a domestic breed of cat that is or appears to be feral. 408.1.4 City - defined “City” means The Corporation of the City of Kitchener unless the context requires otherwise. 408.1.5 Council - defined “Council” means the Council of The Corporation of the City of Kitchener. 408.1.6 Exterior Side Lot Line - defined “exterior side lot line” shall be defined as set out in Chapter 630 of The City of Kitchener Municipal Code (Fences). 408.1.7 Exterior Side Yard - defined “exterior side yard” shall be defined as set out in Chapter 630 of The City of Kitchener Municipal Code (Fences). 408.1.8 Feed or Feeding - defined “feed” or “feeding” means furnishing or making food available and shall include leaving food outdoors in such a manner as to attract or be accessible to an animal, but does not include baiting during lawful activities and also shall not include any activity on land zoned Agricultural (A-1) under Zoning By-law 85-1 of the City. 408.1.9 Feeding Device - Wild Animal - defined “feeding device” means a mechanism that attracts or is intended to attract wild animals and shall include anything used to support or contain food but shall not include a bird feeder used in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. 408.1.10 Food - Wild Animal - defined “food” means any substance or food which could reasonably be expected to attract or be consumed by a wild animal, but does not include: ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.6 FEBRUARY 2024 a) compost kept in accordance with all applicable by-laws, statutes, or regulations; b) landscaping materials used for landscaping purposes; or c) food being grown for human consumption. By-law 2016-085, 29 August, 2016 408.1.11 Fowl - defined “fowl” means domestic fowl including, but not limited to, chickens, geese, ducks and game birds as defined in the Game and Fish Act. 408.1.12 Harbour and Harbouring - defined ”harbour” and “harbouring” shall include living with or having care and control of, or feeding an animal and shall specifically include the feeding of a cat or kitten whether feral or domestic. However, the feeding of a wild bird in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter shall not be considered harbouring. 408.1.13 Hens - defined “hen(s)” shall mean female chicken(s). 408.1.14 - Interior Side Lot Line - defined “interior side lot line” shall be defined as set out in Chapter 630 of The City of Kitchener Municipal Code (Fences). 408.1.15 - Interior Side Yard - defined “interior side yard” shall be defined as set out in Chapter 630 of The City of Kitchener Municipal Code (Fences). 408.1.16 Kitten - defined “kitten” means any registered purebred or common domestic cat, male or female, up to the age of twelve weeks unless otherwise specified by this Chapter and shall include a domestic breed of kitten that is or appears to be feral. 408.1.17 Lot - defined “lot” means a parcel of land which can be legally conveyed pursuant to the Planning Act. 408.1.18 Order - defined “Order” means an order issued pursuant to Section 408.4.3 or 408.4.4 of this Chapter. 408.1.19 Owner - defined “owner” means a person who keeps or harbours an animal and where the owner is a minor, the person responsible for the custody of the minor. 408.1.20 Owner of Hens - defined ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.7 FEBRUARY 2024 “owner of hens” shall mean an owner of a hen or hens kept on property zoned residential under the Zoning By-law and shall not apply to an owner of hens kept on land zoned Agricultural (A-1) under the Zoning By-law. 408.1.21 Owners(s) of property on which hens are kept - defined “owner(s) of property on which hens are kept” shall mean an owner of property zoned residential under the Zoning By-law on which a hen or hens are kept but shall not include the owner of property zoned Agricultural (A-1) under the Zoning By-law with respect to that Agricultural property. 408.1.22 Poundkeeper - defined “Poundkeeper” means the Kitchener-Waterloo and North Waterloo Humane Society, including its officers and employees. 408.1.23 Rear Lot Line - defined “rear lot line” shall be defined as set out in Chapter 630 of The City of Kitchener Municipal Code (Fences). 408.1.24 Rear Yard - defined“rear yard” shall be defined as set out in Chapter 630 of The City of Kitchener Municipal Code (Fences). 408.1.25 Wild Animal - defined “wild animal” shall mean an animal that belongs to a species that is wild by nature or an animal living in its natural habitat but does not include: (a) a permitted animal kept in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter; (b) a prohibited or restricted animal permitted to be kept by section 408.2.13 of this Chapter and kept in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter; (c) a bird; (d) a feral cat; or (e) an animal being fed as part of research undertaken by a university, college, or similar provincially or federally recognized research institution. 408.1.26 Zoning By-law - defined “Zoning By-law” means any by-law administered by the City passed pursuant to section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13, or a predecessor or successor thereof, as may be amended from time to time. 408.1.27 Administrative penalty by-law – defined “administrative penalty by-law” means the Administrative Penalty By-law of the City, as amended from time to time, or any successor thereof. ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.8 FEBRUARY 2024 408.1.28 Designated provision – defined “designated provision” means any section of this Chapter designated in accordance with Article 8. Article 2 GENERAL PROVISIONS 408.2.1 Running at large - prohibited - owner responsibility No owner of an animal shall allow his/her animal to run at large. 408.2.2 Running at large - conditions An animal shall be deemed to be running at large when it is found not under the effective control of an adult person and not under leash, unless the animal is on the lands of a person who has given prior consent to it being unleashed. 08.2.3 Leash - length No leash shall exceed 2.4 metres (8 feet). 408.2.4 Excrement - removal by owner - upon defecation Every owner of an animal shall remove forthwith and dispose of any excrement left by his/her animal on any property in the City other than his/her own property. 408.2.5 Attack - fighting - prohibited No owner shall permit his/her animal to attack or fight with any animal. 408.2.6 Trespass by animal - prohibited No owner shall permit his/her animal to trespass on private property. By-law 98-186, 30 November, 1998. 408.2.7 Slaughter house - location - restrictions No person shall at any time use any house, dwelling unit, or accessory building, or any part thereof, or any land abutting same, as a place for slaughtering animals unless such place is distant not less than 180 metres (590.6 feet) from any dwelling unit and not less than 45 metres (147.6 feet) from any highway. 408.2.8 Permitted animals Permitted animals means: (a) mammals which are commonly known as the following: cats; chinchillas; degus; dogs, including dogs over the age of twelve weeks; ferrets; gerbils; guinea pigs; ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.9 FEBRUARY 2024 hamsters; hedgehogs; mice; rabbits; rats; sugar gliders. (b) all birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates which are not restricted or prohibited animals; (c) all animals which are used for animal husbandry or are otherwise permitted by the Zoning By-law. 408.2.9 Restricted animal A restricted animal means: (a) a lizard which will grow to more than 65 centimetres (25.6 inches) in length from snout to vent; (b) a snake which will grow to more than 2 metres (6.6 feet) in length; (c) a prohibited animal which was kept or harboured by its owner on the date the animal was prohibited or which was purchased by its owner from a pet shop in the City in accordance with Chapter 575 of The City of Kitchener Municipal Code. 408.2.10 Prohibited animal A prohibited animal means: (a) an animal which is venomous or poisonous in captivity; (b) an animal which is wild-caught, provided that a wild-caught fish shall be deemed to be a permitted animal until January 1, 2004; (c) an animal whose parent is a prohibited animal; (d) a mammal which is not a permitted animal; (e) birds which are members of the following orders: - Order Anseriformes, for example, but not limited to, ducks, geese and swans; - Order Casuariiformes, for example, but not limited to, cassowaries and emus; - Order Galliformes, for example, but not limited to, grouse and pheasants, ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.10 FEBRUARY 2024 except for non-indigenous quail species which have been captive-bred for more than six generations; - Order Rheiformes, for example, but not limited to, rheas; and - Order Struthioniformes, for example, but not limited to, ostriches; (f) reptiles which are members of the following orders: - Order Crocodylia, for example, but not limited to, crocodiles; and - Order Spheodonitida, for example, but not limited to, tuatara; (g) amphibians which are members of the Order Gymnophiona or Apoda commonly known as legless amphibians. 408.2.11 Prohibited animal - keeping - offence No person shall keep or harbour or permit to be kept or harboured a prohibited animal. 408.2.12 Restricted animal - keeping requirements The owner of a restricted animal shall comply with the following requirements: (a) to register the restricted animal on or before February 15, 2000 or after that date within seven working days of becoming the owner of the restricted animal by providing the Poundkeeper with his/her name, address and telephone number and a description of the restricted animal; (b) to keep the restricted animal, when it is on the lands and premises of the owner, confined and under effective control, as approved by the Poundkeeper; (c) to keep the restricted animal under the effective control of an adult person and under leash or otherwise contained at all times when it is not confined in accordance with clause (b); (d) to provide the Poundkeeper with the new address and telephone number of the owner within two working days of moving the restricted animal; (e) to provide the Poundkeeper with the name, address and telephone number of the new owner within two working days of selling or giving away the restricted animal; (f) to advise the Poundkeeper within two working days of the death of the restricted animal; and (g) to advise the Poundkeeper forthwith if the restricted animal is running at large or has bitten or attacked any person or animal, including dogs over the ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.11 FEBRUARY 2024 age of twelve weeks. 408.2.13 Prohibited - restricted animal - exceptions Sections 408.2.11 and 408.2.12 of this Chapter shall not apply to: (a) an animal hospital or clinic lawfully operated and supervised by a veterinarian licensed to practice in Ontario; (b) an animal shelter operated by the Kitchener-Waterloo and North Waterloo Humane Society; (c) premises registered as a research facility in accordance with the Animals for Research Act; (d) the lawful operation of a circus, carnival, performance, exhibition, zoo, or public display; (e) subject to the approval of the Kitchener-Waterloo and North Waterloo Humane Society: i) premises where animals are being kept for the purposes of rehabilitating the individual animal; or ii) when under the auspices of the federal or provincial government or an organization or facility with appropriate expertise, premises where animals are being kept for the purpose of preserving the individual animal or the animal species, provided that the premise meet Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquarea standards; (f) day care facilities or educational establishments where short-term educational programs are being conducted; or (g) a person keeping up to four hens on a property in accordance with the requirements of this Chapter. 408.2.14 Animal Designation Appeal Committee - hearing The Poundkeeper or a resident of the City may request that a Committee of Council, known as the Animal Designation Appeal Committee, conduct a hearing as to whether: (a) a species of mammal should be added to Section 408.2.8 as a permitted animal or to Section 408.2.9 as a restricted animal; or (b) a species of bird, reptile, amphibian, fish or invertebrate should be added to Section 408.2.9 as a restricted animal or to Section 408.2.10 as a prohibited animal. 408.2.15 Request for hearing ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.12 FEBRUARY 2024 (a) Requests from residents shall be submitted between January 1 and February 15 of each year. (b) One request from a resident in regard to Section 408.2.14(a) and one request from a resident in regard to Section 408.2.14(b), such requests to be chosen by lottery after February 15 if necessary, shall be considered by the Animal Designation Appeal Committee during the remainder of the year. 408.2.16 Animal Designation Appeal Committee - decision The Animal Designation Appeal Committee may recommend to Council that: (a) the mammal species be added to Chapter 408 as a permitted or a restricted animal if: (i) the mammal species has been captive-bred for at least 10 generations; (ii) the general public is capable of providing a level of care for the animal species which protects it from suffering at all stages of its life, considering the animal’s physical and psychological or behavioural well-being; (iii) the danger the animal species may present to public health or safety is minimal; (iv) the danger the animal species may present to the local ecosystem should it escape or be released is minimal. (b) a bird species be added to Chapter 408 as a restricted or prohibited animal if: (i) the bird species has been captive-bred for less than six generations; (ii) the general public is not capable of providing a level of care for the animal species which protects it from suffering at all stages of its life, considering the animal’s physical and psychological or behavioural well-being; (iii) the danger the animal species may present to public health or safety is not minimal; or (iv) the danger the animal species may present to the local ecosystem should it escape or be released is not minimal. ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.13 FEBRUARY 2024 (c) a reptile, amphibian, fish or invertebrate species be added to the Chapter as a restricted or prohibited animal if: (i) the general public is not capable of providing a level of care for the animal species which protects it from suffering at all stages of its life, considering the animal’s physical and psychological or behavioural well-being; (ii) the danger the animal species may present to public health or safety is not minimal; or (iii) the danger the animal species may present to the local ecosystem should it escape or be released is not minimal. 408.2.17 Hearing evidence The Animal Designation Appeal Committee may require any person to give evidence relevant to the subject matter of a hearing. 408.2.18 Entry - Inspection - right The Regional Medical Officer of Health and any Health Inspector, the Chief Fire Prevention Officer and any Fire Inspector, the Chief Building Official and any Building/Plumbing Inspector, Property Standards Officer or Municipal Law Enforcement Officer, and the Poundkeeper and any Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Inspector may, at all reasonable times enter upon and inspect any lands and premises where animals are kept for the purpose of insuring compliance with the provisions of this Chapter. Article 3 PIGEONS - RABBITS 408.3.1 Enclosure - requirements No person shall keep or permit to be kept pigeons or rabbits in other than an enclosure that: (a) where it is not a cage, has its inside walls and ceiling limewashed or painted at least annually; (b) is screened to the maximum extent possible from adjacent premises and streets by hedges, shrubs, fences or other suitable screening; (c) in the opinion of the Poundkeeper, provides adequate space, lighting and ventilation having regard to the number of pigeons and rabbits kept therein; (d) in the opinion of the Regional Medical Officer of Health, does not house pigeons or rabbits in such a manner or in such number as to constitute an actual or potential threat or hazard to human health; ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.14 FEBRUARY 2024 (e) is maintained in such a manner as to prevent the emission of noxious odours therefrom; (f) is readily maintained in a clean and sanitary condition; (g) is constructed and maintained in compliance with the provisions of any applicable Act or Regulation and any other municipal by-law including, without restricting the generality of the foregoing, the Health Protection and Promotion Act and Regulations, the Ontario Building Code Act, 1992 and Regulations, the Fire Prevention and Protection Act and Regulations, Chapter 665 of the City’s Municipal Code and the Zoning By-law; (h) is constructed in such a manner as to prevent the escape from the enclosure of any pigeon or rabbit kept therein; (i) is located to the rear of the property and situated 12.2 metres (40 feet) from any school, church, dwelling unit or other premises used for human habitation or occupancy, other than premises occupied exclusively by the owner or members of the owner’s immediate family. 408.3.2 Enclosure - existing - location - exemption An enclosure in existence prior to October 26, 1987 shall, notwithstanding that it does not comply with Section 408.3.1(i) shall be deemed to be an enclosure within the meaning of Section 408.3.1 provided it complies in all other respects with the provisions thereof and provided it cannot be re-located to comply with Section 408.3.1(i). 408.3.3 Enclosure - maintained sanitary - feed - waste storage Every person keeping pigeons or rabbits in an enclosure shall: (a) remove and dispose of in a sanitary manner at least three times each week all droppings, refuse or offal, and any dropped or scattered feed within or adjacent to any enclosure. No material so removed may be burned or stored on or within the lands and premises from which it is removed; and (b) store all feed in rodent-proof containers. 408.3.4 Pigeons - in City - prohibited - rabbits - limitation No person shall keep or permit to be kept any pigeons or more than six rabbits on any lot within the City. 408.3.5 Agricultural land - exemption Section 408.3.4 does not apply to a lot located within an area zoned agricultural by the Zoning By-law. 408.3.6 Permitted use - by Zoning By-law - exemption ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.15 FEBRUARY 2024 Section 408.3.5 does not apply to a lot where the keeping of pigeons or rabbits is a permitted use either expressly or by necessary implication, within the meaning of the Zoning By-law. By-law 98-186, 30 November, 1998. 408.3.7 Pigeon keeping - exemption - conditions Notwithstanding Section 408.3.4, where a person or property has been granted an exemption by Council prior to August 31, 2004, allowing for the keeping of pigeons in the City, pigeons may be kept provided that: (a) the pigeons are kept continuously from August 31, 2004 forward; (b) the number of pigeons kept does not exceed that number of pigeons specifically permitted in the exemption if applicable; (c) the pigeons are kept at the location specified in the exemption if so specified; (d) where no location is specified in the exemption that the exemption shall not apply to a property other than the property the pigeons were kept at on August 31, 2004; (e) the pigeons are kept for sporting or exhibitions purposes; (f) the pigeon keeper resides at the property and is a bona fide member of an organized pigeon club or association; (g) each pigeon is banded with an identifying leg band issued by the said organization; (h) the pigeon keeper ensures compliance with all other regulations of this Chapter respecting the keeping of pigeons. 408.3.8 Infection - communicable disease - responsibility In the event the owner of pigeons or rabbits suspects they are infected with a communicable disease, the owner shall immediately consult a veterinarian licensed to practice in Ontario to diagnose the condition. If the diagnosis confirms that the pigeons or rabbits are infected with a communicable disease, the owner shall immediately notify the Regional Medical Officer of Health and comply with any direction which may be issued by the Regional Medical Officer of Health in this regard. 408.3.9 Pigeon keeping - exemption revoked - permanent Where a person or property was granted an exemption by Council prior to August 31, 2004, allowing for the keeping of pigeons in the City, Council may permanently revoke this exemption if the pigeon keeper or property has failed to comply with any of the regulations respecting the keeping of pigeons in this Chapter, the conditions of ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.16 FEBRUARY 2024 Section 408.3.7, or the conditions of the original exemption. Article 4 CATS 408.4.1 Harbouring - causing nuisance - prohibited No person shall keep or harbour any cat or kitten in a manner that adversely impacts neighbouring properties or residents whether through offensive odours, noise likely to disturb inhabitants, straying or roaming of cat(s) or kitten(s), accumulation of feces or otherwise. 408.4.2 Keeping - conditions adverse to health - prohibited (a) No person shall keep or harbour any cat or kitten in a manner that adversely impacts the health or well-being of the cat or kitten. (b) For the purposes of Section 408.4.2(a), the following are deemed to be circumstances which could adversely impact the health or well-being of a cat or kitten: unsanitary conditions, neglect, overcrowding, inadequate feeding, and inadequate medical attention. 408.4.3 Nuisance - order - issued - reduction of cats Where a person is convicted under Section 408.4.1 of this Chapter, the City’s Director of Enforcement may issue an order to discontinue the contravening activity by reducing the number of cats or kittens at a property and/or kept or harboured by that person and such Order shall be complied with. The number to which the total number of cats and kittens must be reduced to shall be at the Director of Enforcement’s discretion and may be as low as zero. 408.4.4 Health concerns - order - issued - reduction of cats Where a person is convicted under Section 408.4.2(a) of this Chapter, the City’s Poundkeeper may issue an order to discontinue the contravening activity by reducing the number of cats or kittens at a property and/or kept or harboured by that person and such Order shall be complied with. The number to which the total number of cats and kittens must be reduced to shall be at the Poundkeeper’s discretion and may be as low as zero. 408.4.5 Order - information - requirements Every Order shall: (a) give reasonable particulars of the contravention adequate to identify the contravention and the location of the land on which the contravention occurred; (b) indicate the number to which the total number of cats and kittens must be reduced; ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.17 FEBRUARY 2024 (c) shall indicate the date by which there must be compliance with the order to reduce the number of cats; and (d) shall include a statement that failure to comply with the order may result in seizure of any cats and kittens and/or charges under this Chapter. 408.4.6 Order - appeal - deadline An Order may be appealed by the individual(s) to whom it is directed. Such appeal shall be made in writing to the Clerk of the City within ten business days of the Order’s date of issuance. 408.4.7 Appeal - hearing - time frame Where an Order has been appealed, the Animal Designation Appeal Committee shall hold an appeal hearing pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Powers Procedure Act. The Animal Designation Appeal Committee shall endeavour to hold such appeal hearing within thirty days of the request. 8.4.8 Appeal - non-attendance - dismissal - adjourned Where a person has requested an appeal and does not appear at the appointed time, the Animal Designation Appeal Committee may dismiss the appeal as abandoned or, where it has cause to believe it would be beneficial to adjourn the appeal, may do so to allow the person who requested the appeal an opportunity to be present. If the appeal is dismissed as abandoned by the Animal Designation Appeal Committee, the Order shall stand. 408.4.9 Order - modified by Committee The Animal Designation Appeal Committee may recommend that an Order be ratified, affirmed, rescinded, added to, varied, substituted, or that time for compliance with the Order be extended. 408.4.10 Order - ratified by Council - effective Any recommendation of the Animal Designation Appeal Committee must be ratified or affirmed by Council before taking effect and Council may ratify or affirm, rescind, add to, vary, or substitute the Order of part thereof and may also extend time for compliance with the Order. 408.4.11 Order - non-compliance Where compliance with an Order has failed to eliminate any violation of Section 408.4.1 or 408.4.12(a) under this Chapter, a further Order or Orders may be made pursuant to this Chapter regardless of whether any other charge is laid or conviction is obtained under Section 408.4.1 or 408.4.2(a) of this Chapter. 408.4.12 Failure to comply - action by City In the event of a person’s failure to comply with an Order issued under this Chapter, the City may take such action as necessary to cause compliance with the Order at that person’s expense. Such action may include the removal of cats from the property. The City may recover the costs of such remedial action from the person the Order directed ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.18 FEBRUARY 2024 or required to do it, by action or by adding the costs to the tax roll and collecting them in the same manner as property taxes. 408.4.13 Poundkeeper - cat - removal - not returned The Poundkeeper shall treat any cat(s) or kitten(s) removed pursuant to this Chapter in the same manner as an animal found running at large but shall not return such cat(s) or kitten(s) to the person or location from which they were removed unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the Poundkeeper that returning them would not facilitate a situation of non-compliance with the governing Order. 408.4.14 Keeping number other than specified - prohibited No person shall keep more cats or kittens than specified by an Order. Article 5 IMPOUNDING ANIMALS 408.5.1 Running at large - seizure - impounding The Poundkeeper may seize and impound any animal found running at large. 408.5.2 Animal impounded - record kept - by Poundkeeper The Poundkeeper shall keep a record of every animal impounded or seized, including the date it was impounded, a description of the animal, the tag number if it wore a tag, the date of disposition and the disposition made. 408.5.3 Animal impounded - restored to owner - deadline Possession of the animal may be restored to the owner if the owner claims possession of the animal within three days, exclusive of statutory holidays and Sundays, after the date of seizure and impounding. By-law 98-186, 30 November, 1998; By-law 2008-98, 20 May, 2008. 408.5.4 Impound fees The Poundkeeper may release an impounded animal to its owner after identification of the animal by its owner. The Poundkeeper may require any of the following of the owner prior to releasing the animal or at a later date: (a) payment of the Thirty-Five Dollar ($35) impound fee for the first day or any part thereof which the animal has been impounded; (b) payment of the Thirty-Five Dollar ($35) boarding fee incurred for each subsequent day or any part thereof which the animal has been impounded; and (c) payment of the cost of any vaccination given pursuant to this Chapter. 408.5.5 Female - in heat - running at large - impound duration Any female animal found to be running at large in heat shall be impounded by the Poundkeeper until no longer in heat, but in any case no longer than twenty-one days. ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.19 FEBRUARY 2024 408.5.6 Impound animal - not tagged - immunized Any animal impounded not wearing a tag for the current year may be given an inoculation to provide immunization against rabies. 408.5.7 Animal impounded - owner liable - for all fees Where an animal is impounded, the owner shall be liable for and shall pay on demand the following fees to the Poundkeeper: (a) the Thirty-Five Dollar ($35) impound fee for the first day or any part thereof which the animal has been impounded; (b) the Thirty-Five Dollar ($35) boarding fee incurred for each subsequent day or any part thereof which the animal has been impounded; and (c) the cost of any vaccination given pursuant to this Chapter. 408.5.8 Animal not claimed - sale - disposed In the event that possession of any impounded animal has not been restored to the owner within three days, exclusive of statutory holidays and Sundays, after seizure, the animal may be sold by the Poundkeeper for such price as he/she deems reasonable or the Poundkeeper may dispose of the animal pursuant to the Animals for Research Act and Regulations thereunder. The sale of any animal so sold shall belong to the Poundkeeper and no damages or compensation shall be recovered on account of any disposition made thereunder. 408.5.9 Animal impounded - injured - destroyed Where an animal which has been seized is injured or should be destroyed without delay for humane reasons, the Poundkeeper may dispose of the animal in a humane manner as soon after seizure as he/she thinks fit without permitting any person to reclaim the animal or without offering it for sale and no damages or compensation shall be recovered on account of such disposition. Article 6 FEEDING - WILD ANIMAL 408.6.1 Nuisance to - owner/occupant of any property No person shall feed or permit the feeding of a wild animal in a manner that creates a nuisance to an owner or occupant of any property. 408.6.2 Removal of food - owner/occupant of property Every owner and occupier of property shall immediately remove any food placed on the property in violation of this Chapter. 408.6.3 Feeding device - not allowed - any property No person shall place a feeding device on any property. ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.20 FEBRUARY 2024 408.6.4 Removal of feeding device - owner/occupant Every owner and occupier of property shall immediately remove any feeding device placed on the property in violation of this Chapter. 408.6.5 Feeding Wild Birds - Duties of owner/occupant of property No person shall feed or permit the feeding of a wild bird unless: (a) having the permission of the owner or occupant of the property where the bird is fed; (b) ensuring there is no accumulation of bird feces; (c) making food reasonably inaccessible to wild animals and ensuring that food does not unreasonably attract wild animals in a manner that creates a nuisance to occupants of any property; (d) promptly removing and disposing of excessive spilled seed or other food to ensure it does not attract wild animals; and (e) ensuring that the feeding does not interfere with the normal use or enjoyment of any property.” (f) Article 7 HENS 408.7.1 A person may keep up to four hens at a property in a residential zone under the Zoning By-law providing the conditions and requirements contained in this Article are met. 408.7.2 Every owner of hens and every owner of property on which hens are kept shall ensure that: (a) the owner of the hens has paid the applicable permit fee as set by Council from time to time, made application for, and obtained a permit from the City to allow the keeping of hens at the property; (b) the owner of the hens resides at the property; (c) the property on which the hens are kept has residential zoning under the Zoning By-law and contains a single detached, semi-detached, or townhouse dwelling; (d) all owner(s) and all adult occupant(s) of the property have consented in writing to the satisfaction of the City to the keeping of hens at the property; ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.21 FEBRUARY 2024 (e) the hens are kept in a fully enclosed coop or run in a manner that contains the hens on the property and prevents their escape from such coop or run; (f) the coop and any run are within the rear yard, exterior side yard, or interior side yard of the property; and (g) the coop and any run are set back at least 1.2 metres from the rear lot line and at least 2.5 metres from any interior side lot line or exterior side lot line of the property and at least 2.5 metres from any rear lot line abutting an exterior side yard or interior side yard of another property unless all owner(s) and all adult occupant(s) of any property from which the aforementioned setbacks are not in place have consented in writing to the satisfaction of the City to the placement of the coop or run. 408.7.3 When a coop is built within a shed or other structure, only the portion actually used to house hens shall be required to meet the setback requirements of section 408.7.2. 408.7.4 Every owner of hens and every property owner on which hens are kept shall ensure the hens are housed in a coop that is constructed and maintained: (a) to provide protection from weather and be adequately ventilated; (b) to exclude rodents and predators; (c) with flooring that is resistant to moisture and mold and retains heat in the cold weather; (d) with a chicken box sufficient to accommodate all hens; (e) with a perch area sufficient to accommodate all hens; and (f) with an accessible dust bath area. 408.7.5 Every owner of hens and every property owner on which hens are kept shall ensure that: (a) coops and runs are maintained in a clean condition; (b) coops and runs are maintained to ensure that smells do not cause a nuisance to residents of any neighbouring property or any residents of the City; ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.22 FEBRUARY 2024 (c) coop floors are lined with shavings, straw, or other appropriate materials to absorb manure and facilitate cleaning; (d) coops are deep cleaned at least two times yearly including disinfecting of troughs, perches, and nests; (e) feeders and water containers are provided and are cleaned and disinfected regularly; (f) all stored feed is kept in rodent proof containers and secured at all times to prevent rodents and other animals from accessing it; (g) feeding of hens is done in a manner that minimizes the attraction of rodents or other animals; (h) manure and droppings are cleaned out daily and stored in a secured container or composter in accordance with compost regulations until disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations; (i) each hen is banded with such band containing current contact information for the hen’s owner; (j) hens have access to an enclosed outdoor run area; (k) deceased hens are disposed of at a livestock disposal facility, through the services of a veterinarian, chicken exchange program, or through a facility as approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs and are disposed of in accordance with all laws; (l) there is no sale of eggs, manure or other products associated with the keeping of hens; (m) no slaughtering or butchering of hens is done on the property; (n) hens are kept in accordance with all other laws including the City’s by-laws respecting noise, lot maintenance, property standards, and animals as well as provincial legislation respecting the keeping of animals. 408.7.6 (1) An owner or adult occupant of property may withdraw consent to placement of a hen coop or run that is closer to their property than otherwise required by submitting written notice to the satisfaction of the City to the City’s Director of By-law Enforcement. Where such consent is withdrawn, the City shall notify the owner of the property where the coop or run is placed that consent has been withdrawn. ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.23 FEBRUARY 2024 (2) Where the City notifies a property owner that consent to have the coop or run closer to a property than otherwise required has been withdrawn, that owner of property on which hens are kept shall ensure that the coop or run is removed or relocated within a permitted area by the later of November 1 of that calendar year or six (6) months following the date of notification being given. 408.7.7 Where an owner of hens can show to the satisfaction of the City’s Director of Enforcement that they owned more than four hens on November 8, 2016, the person shall be allowed to keep up to six of the hens owned on that date for the lifetime of the hens but shall not replace any hen that dies until the number of hens is reduced to four. Any person relying on this provision shall provide such information as the Director of Enforcement reasonably requires for the purposes of identifying existing hens and ensuring that new hens are not purchased until the number of hens is reduced to four. This provision shall only apply if the hens are kept in compliance with all other provisions of this by-law.” Article 8 ENFORCEMENT 408.8.1 Fine - for contravention Every owner who contravenes any provision of this Chapter or, an Order issued pursuant to this Chapter, is guilty of an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5000), exclusive of costs, for each offence, recoverable under the Provincial Offences Act. 408.8.2 Administrative Penalty By-law application Articles 2, 3,4, 6 and 7 of this Chapter are hereby designated as parts of this Chapter to which the Administrative Penalty By-law applies. 408.8.3 Administrative Penalty By-law penalty notice Any person shall be liable to pay an administrative penalty and any administrative fees in accordance with the Administrative Penalty By-law, upon the issuance of a penalty notice for a contravention of this Chapter. 408.8.4 Provincial Offences Act The Provincial Offences Act continues to apply to the provisions of this by-law in addition to the designated provisions of this by-law. 408.8.5 Non-payment Where a person has not paid the administrative penalty within 30 days in accordance with the Administrative Penalty By-law, the City may add the administrative penalty to the tax roll for any property for which the owner or owners are responsible for paying the administrative penalty under Section 408.8.3. ANIMALS - REGULATION KITCHENER 408.24 FEBRUARY 2024 Article 9 SEVERABILITY 408.9.1 Validity Each and every of the provisions of this Chapter is severable and if any provisions of this Chapter should for any reason be declared invalid by any court, it is the intention and desire of this Council that each and every of the remaining provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect. Article 10 REPEAL 408.10.1 By-law - previous By-law 87-202 as amended by By-laws 89-77, 89-206, 91-114, 91-184, 91-272 and 92-26, and By-law 87-275 as amended by By-laws 91-185, 91-271, 92-260, 95-11, 96-97 and 98-72 are repealed. By-law 98-186, 30 November 1998; By-law 99-169, 4 October 1999; By-law 2004-144, 29 June 2004; By-law 2008-96, 20 May 2008; By-law 2010-146, 7 September 2010; By-law 2013-091, 24 June 2013; By-law 2016-085, 29 August 2016; By-law 2016-118, 21 November 2016; By-law 2024-015, 22 January 2024.