During a recent council meeting, Central Saanich councillors decided to uphold a bylaw that allows farmers compensation for livestock losses.
Under section 13 of bylaw 1471, the municipality may pay compensation (75 per cent of the decrease in market value as a result of injury or death or $750 in the case of any animal killed or injured) to the owner of livestock killed by a dog over four months old of which the owner is unknown.
Council and staff were reminded of the existence of the bylaw recently when a $3,000 claim was made for chickens that were killed on a farm in Central Saanich by two dogs of unknown origin.
Only two claims have been made under the bylaw in the last 10 years, one of which was dismissed by the council of the day.
After some deliberation as to the benefits and drawbacks of keeping the bylaw, council decided to uphold it and allow staff to deal with such claims and compensations totalling less than $3,000 rather than having to bring it to council.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com