The District of Sparwood is committed to working in partnership with the community to create a safe, healthy, and caring environment for animals and people. Whether it’s walking your dog on a leash, adopting a pet, purchasing a dog licence, reporting wildlife concerns or issuing a complaint, the District offers a range of services for animals and their owners.
None at this time.
Let’s work together to be responsible pet owners and keep our public spaces clean by following these simple guidelines:
According to section 8.7 of the Community Standards Bylaw, “A person shall not own, keep or harbor any animal or bird, which by its cries or sounds creates Noise”. That includes persistent barking, calling, whining or other persistent noise made by domestic pets. Failing to comply could result in a $250 fine.
Diseases can be transmitted to humans by direct contact with dog droppings and through flies and parasites. Dog droppings contaminate parks, playgrounds and other public spaces and pose serious health hazards to children playing nearby and to other persons and animals.
Failure to comply with the above may result in a fine of $100 under Section 6.8 of the Animal Control Bylaw.
Allowing your cat to roam free affects not only you, but your neighbourhood too. The District of Sparwood encourages all cat owners to keep their cats inside or ensure that when outside they are supervised or walked on a leash/harness.
Under Sparwood Animal Control Bylaw 1289, 2021, it is an offence for an owner to permit any dog, cat or animal to be at large or off leash, tether, or other suitable restraining device unless in a designated off-leash area for that Animal or on the Owner’s property. Residents who are having problems with a nuisance cat are encouraged to speak to the cat’s owner. If this is not an option or has not worked in the past, contact the Bylaw Enforcement Officer at 250.425.5367 or by email at bleo@sparwood.ca or fill out a Service Request Form. You can also request a cat trap by completing the Cat Trap Agreement Form and submitting to the Bylaw Enforcement Officer at bleo@sparwood.ca.
You must obtain a licence for your dog from the District of Sparwood before your dog is 4 months old and renew it every year in accordance with the Animal Control Bylaw.
The fee for a spayed and neutered dog licence is $15.00 and $30.00 for an unaltered dog. Please ensure that it is attached to your dog’s collar; otherwise, you may be charged a fine of no less than $75 and up to $1000. Dog licences expire December 31 of each year.
The Sparwood Off-Leash Dog Park is located at 404 Lions Park Place, beside the ball diamonds (see map below). This space features 750 meters of forested trail and open grassy spaces for dogs and people to enjoy the outdoors.
Dogs are not permitted to be off leash in the ball diamonds or at large within the municipality, other than within the designated park.
If the problem occurs repeatedly, consider talking to your neighbour about the problem if you are comfortable doing so. Your neighbour may simply be unaware that their dog barks when they are away from home.
If that does not work, to make a complaint about a barking dog in your neighbourhood, you need to:
The first thing that we do when we receive a complaint about a barking dog is check our records to see if a dog licence has been purchased for that address. If there is no licence on file, we will send a dog licence application form to the property owner with a letter advising the owner that a complaint has been made. We will not tell the property/pet owner your name.
The Animal Control Officer will review the details contained in your complaint form and if the officer determines that an offence has happened, a ticket may be issued.
Urban Hens, are permitted in areas zoned as one-family residential. Residents that are interested in keeping hens must apply for a permit which includes obtaining consent from adjoining neighbours, and getting approval for their hen enclosure and coop.
Permits must be renewed annually. Hens are not permitted on multi-family or mobile home park lots. Up to five hens may be kept, roosters and other types of poultry are NOT permitted.
The Animal Control Officer is responsible for animal control in the District of Sparwood. As a pet owner, it is important to familiarize yourself with the District’s bylaws around pet care.
The District’s bylaws are outlined in the following: