Lethbridge dog owners are required to pay an annual expense that could benefit them more than just having to pay a fee.
According to the City of Lethbridge, there are six benefits to licensing your pet including being a cheaper alternative than paying a fine and giving you a greater chance at being reunited if your pet goes missing. Other benefits include quick contact with owners if your pet is found and free retrievals.
For Brooklyn Hirney, the nightmare of a missing pet recently became a frightening reality.
In May of 2018, Hirney let her dog, Louis, outside. She said she called him back in and he wasn’t responding. She instantly had a bad feeling since her downstairs neighbour had a habit of leaving the gate open.
Hirney said previously if Louis had escaped, he would always return or be found within a few hours. However, this time she didn’t have such luck.
“My heart was absolutely broken and the worst of the worst thoughts crossed my mind at that point,” she said.
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Ads, posters and social media were put up several times a day in the hopes of finding Louis. But, after days went by, Hirney started to come to terms with the fact that Louis may not return.
That was until a man had reported knowing the dog’s location and later returning him back to Hirney’s home.
“When I saw [Louis’] face hanging out that car window, I absolutely freaked. I couldn’t stop crying,” she said.
Hirney could see the dehydration and cuts all over her dog’s body. She was confused and angry, but overwhelmed with happiness that her dog was safe and home.
New tags and a collar were purchased along with a secondary gate and locking system to ensure Louis wouldn’t be able to escape again.
Skylar Plourde, animal control officer with the City of Lethbridge said Lethbridge has seen high rates of dog registration (approximately 9,000), but recognizes many owners still do not license their dog.
“We don’t like issuing tickets, but it’s the best way to get compliance. Often the reason why the dog isn’t registered is simply that the person hasn’t gone and done it yet. We’re not running into a lot of people that say they didn’t know,” Plourde said previously on the issue.
All dogs six months and older are required to be licensed or owners could see a fine of at least $150.
Licensing pets allows for the City of Lethbridge to know how many dogs are in the city and what the needs may be for local dog parks as well as helping identify the budget for doggy bags and more.
Pet licensing prices can vary depending on whether your dog is neutered/spayed or microchipped with prices ranging from $20-50 per year.
Owners have until Jan. 31 to pay the annual fee before receiving a fine. Fees can be paid online, by mail, in person or at a City of Lethbridge depository.
