Payne’s call for urgent action to protect dogs from extreme cold delayed by city council

City Coun. Hilary Payne tried but failed Monday to immediately pass a motion to outlaw people keeping dogs tethered outside for more than 15 minutes in the extreme cold.

Instead, the majority of council decided to refer the matter to administration for a report, which according to Payne could delay a new rule until the spring — too late for this winter.

“What’s required is immediate action,” the Ward 9 councillor said, insisting that this new rule would cost nothing extra to enforce by the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society. “Zero. None.” Payne was taking up the cause of freezing dogs on behalf of Walkerville dog owner Howard Weeks, who started an online petition — that as of earlier this week had more than 13,000 supporters — after witnessing a dog tethered outside “for what seemed a dangerously long time” during the recent bitter cold snap. He called police and the humane society but was told they were unable to take direct action because no bylaw forbids keeping dogs tethered outside in the extreme cold. Weeks said fortunately, the dog’s owner co-operated after talking to officials and Weeks has rarely seen it outside since.

“As my petition signers are from all over the globe, this is a great opportunity for Windsor to shine on the world stage as a city that cares,” Weeks said.

Coun. Bill Marra said while he agreed with Weeks’ and Payne’s concerns, as well as many other people who’ve contacted him in recent weeks, it’s important to make the change to the bylaw “airtight,” so it’s truly enforceable. That’s why administration needs to look at the matter, he said.

Mayor Drew Dilkens said no one wants animals freezing outside, but administration input is needed when bylaws are changed.

Payne, however, said all he’s trying to do is make a simple addition to the bylaw. It currently forbids animals from being tethered outside for more than four hours. Payne wants to add that when Environment Canada issues an extreme cold weather warming that no animal be tethered for longer than 15 minutes.

“Dog owners would have to take their dogs into the warmth,” he said.

“We’re trying to keep the environment safe for dogs, that’s all I’m trying to do and it’s a very simple modification,” he said, recalling that when he wanted to enact the four-hour tethering rule four years ago he was opposed because some claimed it would cost the city money.

“It doesn’t! Neither will this.”

We’re trying to keep the environment safe for dogs, that’s all I’m trying to do and it’s a very simple modification.