Sparwood council is taking a closer look at its Animal Control Bylaw, with possible changes ranging from how farm animals are defined to whether residents can keep domestic ferrets as pets.
Under the current bylaw, ferrets are classified as prohibited exotic animals.
Staff noted that this differs from neighbouring municipalities such as Cranbrook, Fernie, and Elkford, where ferrets are not restricted.
An internal review also found no operational concerns with allowing them in Sparwood, since the bylaw already limits households to five animals and requires pets to be leashed off property.
While the request to allow ferrets prompted the review, staff also raised several other considerations.
The definition of farm animals does not currently cover species such as ducks, peacocks, or turkeys, which staff believe was an oversight.
They cautioned, however, that allowing those animals could potentially create issues with noise and wildlife conflicts.
Staff also discussed removing older sections of the bylaw that allow animal control officers to trap and destroy skunks on private property.
According to the report, that service is no longer provided, and other East Kootenay communities have already phased it out.
Staff noted that aligning with provincial standards would reflect a more present approach and recognize the role skunks play in local ecosystems.
Council is currently reviewing the proposals, but no final decisions have been made.
The review was prompted in part by a 10-year-old Sparwood girl asking council to consider changing the bylaw so she could have a pet ferret.
Whether council decides to make that change — and others — is still under discussion.
More information can be found here, Sparwood Council.
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