Edmonton looking at stiffer fines for ill-behaved dogs

Edmonton dog owners who thumb their noses at animal control bylaws could soon face stiffer fines.

Peace officer John Simmons today told theCommunity Services Committee thecity mustcreate a new category of nuisance dog to controlchronic barking,refusal to clean up droppings, or failure to keep pets from running free.

"Those kinds of events that frustrate citizens with the amount of time they go on and the length of time for the investigations," said Simmons.

Simmons said some dog owners are willing to pay a $100 fine over and over again, but would change their behaviour if the fine was hiked to $250.

The committee has yet to make any decisions.