Morris pet owners will now follow one set of animal rules after Town Council adopted a new consolidated bylaw in August 2026. By-Law 05.26 replaces both the 2020 Animal Control By-Law (06.20) and the 2019 Dangerous Dog By-Law (08.11), bringing licensing, leashing, impoundment, and dangerous dog rules together under a single framework. The change was approved unanimously by all six councillors at the August 27, 2026 regular meeting, following a first reading on July 23.
The move comes after residents raised concerns at recent council meetings about dog attacks and dogs running at large. Delegations in July and August included Sam Godard and Jeff McGregor speaking about dog attack concerns, and Barry Krueger addressing dogs running at large. The Town of Morris lists By-Law 05.26 as in force, covering domestic animal licensing and control, leashing, impoundment, and related enforcement provisions.
At the same August meeting, council authorized By-Law Officers provided by Commissionaires MB under the town’s existing Enforcement Services Agreement to act as Animal Control Officers. The authorizing resolution references the town’s Animal Control By-law 06.20, the predecessor by-law it replaced; the town has not yet clarified on the record whether enforcement is intended to apply to the new consolidated By-Law 05.26. This means the town now has designated officers to handle complaints and ensure compliance with the updated rules.
Councillors Chris Hamblin, David Funk, Mel Baxter, Taylor Braun, Tim Lewis, and Trevor Thiessen voted in favour of the bylaw, with no votes against or abstentions; Mayor Scott Crick presided over the meeting. Residents are encouraged to review the new Animal Control By-Law to understand their responsibilities as pet owners under the consolidated rules.
