New Surrey bylaw could fine pet owners for tying up dogs over extensive periods

Surrey City Council is expected to approve a new bylaw that could punish dog owners for tying up their pets for extensive periods of more than four hours.

Under the new bylaw, owners could face a $200 fine if they have tethered their dog for more than four hours within a 24-hour period. With the four hour limit, this will make the typical around-the-clock backyard chained “guard dog” illegal in Surrey.

Animal rights activists have long campaigned that tethering animals over extensive periods is in fact animal cruelty. They have also claimed that animals can show aggressive behaviour after a lack of socialization and affection.

If approved by City Council tonight, Surrey will join only a handful of other municipalities in the province by implementing a bylaw that restricts tethering over extensive periods. Some advocate that this is not nearly enough, arguing that a total ban on tethering should be put in place.

Those who have witnessed animal cruelty should call the B.C. SPCA’s animal cruelty hotline at 1-855-622-7722.

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