A city committee is reviewing a city report that outlines how the city could address nuisance dogs, and dogs with a history of violence – with higher fines and stiffer penalties for their owners.

The process leading up to Tuesday’s Community Services Committee debate started in October, 2012, following a review of the city’s then-Animal Licensing and Control Bylaw.

Under that bylaw, some dogs were restricted on the basis of breed – through an independent survey; the city found many Edmontonians supported removing those restrictions on certain breeds, while tightening enforcement against dog attacks and chronic offenders. Those restrictions were removed on October 17, 2012.

While those specific criteria were removed, the city still had a number of existing options, such as imposing requirements against dogs who are either involved in a number of less serious attacks, or at least one attack that caused injury.

The requirements include the owner having to get liability insurance, and use a muzzle or a secured enclosure for their dog – in addition to follow-ups with city officials.

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, the city could go as far as to pursue a court order, to impose restrictions or even have the dog euthanized.

The city said last year, it received about 5,000 complaints, however, for the most part, officials said they deal with repeat offenders – which is why officials believe there’s a need for a change.

“It’s an increased frustration on citizens when these types of events occur, and if it doesn’t get remedied,” Peace Officer Director John Simmons said.

“What we’re looking to do is create a new license change that would bring with it conditions that can be placed upon the animals to assure we do affect that change.”

In the report presented to the Community Services Committee Tuesday, an additional category would be created for dog licenses, with a higher fee to license a dog convicted in multiple offences.

The report also suggests increasing fines for owners, to prevent owners from breaking bylaws repeatedly – as an example, the report states the current fine for failing to control or leash a dog is $100, if the amendment is approved, the fine for subsequent offences would be $250.

According to the report, the amendment would be consistent with other municipalities in Canada.

A timeline on possible amendments was not set out Tuesday; officials are fine-tuning the details, and will report back to the Community Services Committee.

With files from Jeff Harrington