CORNWALL – A provincial courtroom erupted in laughter Tuesday after a judge found it surprising an SD&G township had a two dog household limit.
“There’s a bylaw for that?” Justice of the Peace Serge Legault asked after hearing the case from the Crown.
The packed courtroom gallery burst into laughter after the judge’s question.
Court heard a North Stormont man’s house had burned down and he moved seven houses down the road, inside the Moose Creek urban settlement area – seemingly unaware of the law – while his house was being rebuilt.
He was ticketed after a neighbour complained.
North Stormont has a bylaw where urban areas, including Moose Creek, Crysler and Finch have a two dogs per household limit, while the rest of the township has a three dog limit.
The man admitted his guilt, telling the court he has four dogs and would have been in violation – even in the location of his now burned-down home.
“I’m getting rid of my dogs…they’re old (and) going to die soon,” he said.
Given the circumstances, Legault gave the man a suspended sentence.