Animal services turns tail on plan to charge late-licence fee

Winnipeg's animal services agency has backed away from its plan to start charging fees for late pet licence renewals.

The 2017 business plan for the city's animal services special operating agency called for a new $4 monthly fee for late licence renewals, up to a maximum of $20.

On Friday, animal services chief operating officer Leland Gordon asked council's innovation committee to strike the late fee from the business plan.

"There's lots of challenges in regard to implementing a late fee monthly like that," Gordon told the committee, adding that complexity led him to reconsider.

The fee also will create another barrier toward paying for pet licences, he said.

Council's innovation committee voted 2-1 to approve Gordon's request, with Coun. Marty Morantz voting in opposition. That means there will still be no extra fees for the late renewal of dog or cat licences in Winnipeg.

Pet owners are sent a reminder one month before the renewal is due, and another reminder if they fail to do so.