Janet Dohner

The applicant farmer applied to the Normal Farm Practices Protection Board for a determination that his use of Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGDs) to protect his cow-calf operation from coyotes was a normal farm practice, seeking relief from a municipal animal control by-law prohibiting dogs running at large.

The applicant used seven German Shepherds that frequently left his property and roamed the neighbourhood.

The Board heard expert evidence that while using LGDs is a normal farm practice, using German Shepherds is inappropriate and allowing LGDs to roam off the farm property is not a normal farm practice.

The Board dismissed the application, finding the applicant's specific practice was not a normal farm practice and therefore not exempt from the municipal by-law.