Council Seeking Public Feedback on Animals in Hamlets
Lethbridge County Council is looking for the public’s input on whether to allow certain animals within hamlet boundaries.
The County’s current Animal Control Bylaw does not permit any livestock or fowl in County hamlets, which are Fairview, Kipp, Monarch, Shaughnessy, Diamond City, Chin, Iron Springs, and Turin.
Council would like to hear from hamlet residents and property owners on whether a small number of livestock or fowl should be permitted within hamlet boundaries. Council has passed first reading of an amended bylaw that would allow up to five animal units in hamlets, depending on the size of the property. A bylaw must pass three readings to take effect.
One animal unit is equal to:
- One horse, donkey, or mule over a year old
- Two colts up to one year old
- One llama/alpaca
- Two ostrich, emu, or other ratite
- One cow or steer over one year old
- Two calves up to one year old
- One elk or bison/buffalo
- Fifty (50) broiler chickens
- Fifteen (15) chickens (layers)
- Ten (10) ducks, turkeys, pheasants, geese or other similar fowl or in combination thereof
- Three sheep or goats over a year old
- Two swine over a year old
- Twenty (20) rabbits or other similar rodents
The current and proposed bylaw amendments both require that property owners manage manure, bedding, fur, feathers, and feed responsibly so as to not cause a nuisance to other properties. Violations under both are subject to fines.
A short survey is available online at https://whatshappening.lethcounty.ca/animal-control-bylaw or the public can call the Lethbridge office at 403-328-5525. The deadline to participate in the survey is February 17, and results will be reviewed at an upcoming Council meeting before a decision is made on whether to adopt the bylaw.