Doggy dollars drop dramatically

Regional district needs $400K less last year compared to ‘13

Tax dollars needed to run the regional dog control service are declining as the program moves toward a user-pay system.

Costs last year were $1.6 million, compared to $1.2 million in 2013; however, the taxpayer subsidy has declined over the same period from more than $850,00 to $640,000.

That’s mainly because the regional district has adopted a zero tolerance approach to unlicensed dogs. A $300 fine is issued immediately to the dog owner whenever an unlicensed animal is happened upon by bylaw officers, though the fee drops to $150 if paid within two weeks.

An incentive scheme also offers discounts and coupons to dog-related businesses whenever a licence is taken out.

As a result, revenues from dog licences have increased from $350,000 in 2013 to almost $600,000 last year. Now, an estimated 70 per cent of dogs are licensed in the greater Kelowna area, double the level of a few years ago.

Revenue from fines have doubled from $25,000 to $50,000.

A consultant will recommend at a meeting of the regional board today the zero-tolerance approach be continued, saying it has had the desired twin effects of lowering the taxpayer subsidy and achieving higher compliance with the dog licensing bylaw.

Recently, some regional directors have wondered if the zero-tolerance approach should be relaxed, with warnings once again being issued first. Other directors say farm dogs should be exempt from the licensing requirement.

“In our view, the zero tolerance approach on licensing should not be weakened in any way,” consultants Neilson-Welch write in a report to board officials.