TRUCK BED DOGS
Owners of unrestrained animals in truck beds will soon be hit with hefty fines.
People in Saskatoon who let their dogs roam freely in the back of pickup trucks will soon be hit with hefty fines.
The practice of transporting unrestrained animals in the backs of trucks will soon be illegal under the city’s bylaws.
Drivers who are caught will be hit with a $100 fine for a first offence and $200 fine for a second offence.
“It’s about basic safety for drivers and basic safety for the animals,” said Cassandra Stinn, who began lobbying for the bylaw change more than a year ago.
Stinn, who volunteers at New Hope Dog Rescue, said she’s seen animals injured by jumping from the backs of moving trucks. Some were so severely hurt they had to be put down, she said.
“Our pets are living creatures and it’s our job to keep them safe,” Stinn said.
Other cities like Calgary and Winnipeg already have similar bylaws.
According to a report Stinn prepared last year, the American SPCA classifies transporting dogs unrestrained in truck beds as animal cruelty. The report also said travelling at high speeds in the open air can cause damage to a dog’s ears and face.
Under the new bylaw, dogs or cats travelling in a vehicle must be confined to the inside or “properly restrained” in a way that would prevent them falling off the vehicle. It will also be illegal to restrain the animals in a way that would cause them harm, the bylaw says.
City councillors unanimously approved the creation of the new bylaw at a meeting in August. Next week, it will come into law once it receives final approval.