Prince Edward County Council decided to revisit but again turn down the prospect of appointing a local pound keeper at Tuesday night’s regular meeting.

In discussing the ongoing at-large cattle situation on Salem Road, Ameliasburgh, council debated the necessity of a pound keeper bylaw versus other potential options, such as utilizing municipal fence viewers to report on inadequate livestock fencing; creating an animal at-large bylaw; and enforcing the provincial Pounds Act without a requisite bylaw. These options were considered and found to be impractical, and even onerous, in the case of the potential animal at-large bylaw since its effects, while designed to remedy the situation on Salem Road, would be felt by all livestock owners in the County.

Furthermore, Provincial Animal Welfare Services did complete its investigation of the site and found that the cattle fencing arrangement in question did meet minimum standards but would investigate further if it observed additional evidence of at-large cattle. In the end, council voted against reconsidering the appointment of a pound keeper in response to the Salem Road situation. Coun. Andreas Bolik spoke in final comment that the affected residents could still sue the offending animals’ owners in court for trespass.

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