Netook area kennel permit approved

The Mountain View County municipal planning commission has approved a development permit for a kennel in the Netook neighbourhood east of Olds.

The move came by way of motion at the commission’s recent regularly scheduled meeting.

The property is located about half a kilometre west of Rge. Rd. 15 on the north side of Twp. Rd. 332 at SE 18-33-1-5.

The applicant is Shane and Jodi Dixon, who attended the July 5 commission meeting.

“The applicant has proposed the kennel-training and boarding (Unleashed Canine Inc.) to provide basic obedience training, intermediate training and temperamental testing in a one-on-one or classroom setting to suit customer needs,” administration said in a briefing note to the commission.

The applicant can assist a maximum of eight dogs during a one-hour training session and the boarding facilities can accommodate up to six dogs, members heard.

“The applicant has provided a letter outlining the extensive knowledge and experience she has with dogs and training in addition to obtaining a government certified master training certification.

“In addition, the applicant has provided numerous testimonials from previous clients regarding the applicant’s knowledge and skill. The landowners will be the only employees.”

One letter of objection from a nearby resident was received regarding the application.

“Given the close proximity that my land is to the proposed training facility, I am uncomfortable with the idea of having a great number of untrained dogs so close to my home,” the letter writer stated.

“I am even more uncomfortable with the idea of having a kennel this close to my home. My experience thus far with this owner is that they struggle to contain and manage the noise level of the one dog that they presently have, let alone having many more.”

The approved permit comes with a number of conditions:

• The applicant and/or landowner will not allow the dogs to bark or howl excessively or otherwise disturb any persons.
• On-site supervision shall be maintained during the active kennel-training operation. The dogs shall not be allowed outside without supervision and they will be housed indoors during the night.
• All exterior exercise areas shall be enclosed with a minimum six-foot height climb-proof fence.
• Dogs shall not be permitted to run free off the property.
• Waste management of the boarding services shall be in accordance with provincial requirements regarding waste disposal.
• All boarding services and associated facilities shall be kept in a manner satisfactory to the health authority and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals.