During Tuesday’s council meeting, Prince Edward County Council discussed changes to laws surrounding large domestic farm animals such as cows or horses running loose or trespassing outside their owner’s property.
Councillor Roy Pennell proposed a motion that directed city staff to investigate a cost-effective solution to manage loose farm animals wandering in the county.
His proposal noted that under the Pounds Act, municipal governments have the authority to appoint a Pound Keeper who can impound any livestock running at large or trespassing.
It also proposed looking at sharing services with neighbouring municipalities to save on costs.
Councillor Pennell said there is a problem with animals running at large around the county.
“We’ve had a particular problem in my neighbourhood where someone who has never farmed decided they want to be a farmer but they’re not practising farming otherwise. They get large animals. They just run it loose all over the place,” said Pennell.
Councillor Chris Braney spoke in opposition to the motion saying that they would have problems enforcing a law that involved impounding livestock.
“I have an issue with the enforcement and I would prefer that we allow neighbours to sort these matters out themselves,” said Councillor Braney. “And I do think that works a great amount of the time without having to create a by-law that may be very impossible to enforce to begin with.”
After a short debate, the motion was defeated, with only Councillor Pennell voting in favour.
