The by-law will impose fines on anyone who owns a dog without a license, and will mandate annual renewals of licenses
Starting September 1, 2024, the Hessequa Municipality will initiate a comprehensive program for the collection of dog licenses.
Law enforcement officers, donning official uniforms, will conduct door-to-door visits across all households in the Hessequa municipal area. These officers will carry an Appointment Certificate for identification purposes. The visits are scheduled from Monday to Friday, between 1:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
The rollout of this program will encompass all towns within the Hessequa municipal area.
Residents will have the opportunity to obtain a dog license directly from the visiting officer or, alternatively, from the nearest municipal office. Should residents be unable to secure a license during the initial visit, a second visit will be arranged. Persistent non-compliance will result in a fine and a written notice to procure the license within a specified timeframe.
It is expected that all residents already possess a dog license for the 2024/2025 financial year, spanning from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. Licenses issued under this program will apply to the 2024/2025 financial year, necessitating renewal for the 2025/2026 financial year post-July 2025. The Municipal Bylaw does not permit pro-rata payments; thus, the full annual fee, as stipulated in the Council's approved tariff list, will be required.
The fees are structured as follows:
For further details, the Municipal Bylaw concerning the Keeping and Treatment of Dogs and Cats (Extraordinary Provincial Gazette Number 8426, Published on May 7, 2021) is accessible on the Hessequa Municipality website.
