Cortes Island could see a new dog control service if residents approve it.
At the Feb. 28 board meeting, the SRD board decided to move forward with an alternative approval process that would set up a dog control service on the island. The bylaw, if approved, would give the regional district the authority to “regulate or prohibit activities related to dogs that are deemed to be contrary to the public interest.”
Cortes Islanders initially brought forward by residents through a petition, and the board started to move forward on the issue in summer 2023.
“The dog control initiative was initially brought to the Board’s attention last year by a petition containing over 100 signatures from Cortes Island residents,” said SRD Chair Mark Baker. “The petition called upon the SRD to enact measures to control dogs on Cortes Island in response to instances of aggressive and threatening dogs. This bylaw is the first step in determining what kind of regulations would be appropriate for Cortes Island.”
“There were a number of incidents on Cortes that that prompted a petition to create a dog control service,” said Cortes Island director Mark Vonesch. “This is a divisive issue on Cortes and we’re going to to go back to the community for further consultation on the service through this Alternative Approval Process.”
The process, also known as an AAP is used to gauge support and obtain legislative approval from electors for a bylaw, agreement or other initiative. An AAP is favoured due to its cost-effectiveness compared to traditional voting.
I less than 10 per cent of the 961 electors on Cortes Island respond to the AAP, the board can move forward in adopting the bylaw. However if more than 10 per cent respond, the measure would go to a referendum.
If the bylaw adopted by the board, the next step will be to discuss the regulatory environment that would be appropriate for residents of Cortes Island and, based on those discussions, to draft a regulatory bylaw that will adequately deal with the concerns of residents.
For more information about the Cortes Island Dog Control Service AAP and to access the elector response forms, please visit www.srd.ca/cortes-dog-control-aap.
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