If you feed deer in Oak Bay, be prepared to also feed the municipality’s coffers a $300 fine.
Oak Bay council voted unanimously on Tuesday to up the fine from the current $100 to $300. Originally, council proposed introducing a two-tiered system of $300 for a first offence and $500 for repeat offences. However, legal advice found legislation does not allow for that.
Coun. Cairine Green said $500 was just too much at this time.
“Without understanding the significance of the problem, I can’t support a $500 fine,” Green said. “I think that’s steep.”
Coun. Kevin Murdoch said he supports the stiffer $500 fine, but after reviewing the list of fines regarding animal control, he felt $300 was more appropriate.
“If you look at the other fines, $200 for (obstruction of) a poundkeeper, $500 (looks excessive),” Murdoch said.
No fines have been issued for feeding deer since Oak Bay prohibited it in 2010.
Oak Bay will also ask the province to provide funding for its deer management strategy, which includes culling of up to 25 deer at an estimated cost of $12,500. Municipal staff has set aside $25,000 to cover the cost of implementing the strategy, which also includes public education.