Readings for hens and bees, responsible pet ownership bylaws in Taylor scheduled for October

TAYLOR, B.C. — The first three readings of the updated backyard hens and bees bylaw and responsible pet ownership bylaw for the District of Taylor will be held on October 10th. 

Both bylaw readings were deferred at the July and August council meetings, being delayed to October.

The backyard hens and bees bylaw lists the rules for keeping and maintaining hens and bees in the District of Taylor.

The responsible pet ownership bylaw highlights all laws and fines regarding pets in the district.

District of Taylor CAO, Moira Green, said the July readings were deferred due to feedback from the BC SPCA. The readings were then postponed to August in order to incorporate these suggestions into the bylaw.

Most recommendations were based on the care of the hens since bees are provincially regulated. 

A month later, the readings were postponed to October due to a lack of time, explained Green. 

“They are on [the October 10th] agenda for the first three readings. If that goes well, they will be on the following agenda for final reading and adoption,” said Green. 

Green stated these bylaws are important because they protect animals and also allow people to have them.

“The hens and bees bylaw is important because it allows people to have hens and honey bees in the district. It gives them a clearer understanding of what their responsibility is to their neighbours when they’re taking care of those creatures,” said Green.

On the other hand, “The responsible pet bylaw allows us to consolidate our previous bylaws around dogs with some rules around cats, which the citizens of Taylor have asked us for.”

Drafts for backyard hens and bees and the responsible pet ownership bylaws have been written and are accessible to the public.