Most of the time, mayors and councillors across British Columbia vote on issues that will have a direct impact on large numbers of people in their community.

And sometimes, they vote on whether one homeowner needs to get rid of one dog. 

“I think it’s clear that she loves her animals and looks after them. But I think everybody values peace and quiet in their home and in their yards,” said Chilliwack Coun. Chris Kloot, as council unanimously voted to deny a temporary-use permit to the owner of four dogs, one more than Chilliwack allows in urban residential properties..

The owner, Janna Adrian, had recently moved to Chilliwack from Surrey, and said she was unaware of the city’s specific animal bylaws prior to a complaint by a neighbour. 

But because she effectively appealed Chilliwack’s bylaws by applying for a temporary-use permit, it triggered a public hearing in front of mayor and council where anyone could say why they wanted Adrian’s extra dog to stay or go.

And temporarily turned city hall into an episode of The People’s Court. 

‘This is not Surrey’

The first person to speak to council was effectively the prosecution — Adrian’s neighbour Maria Tuytel, who had sent council several videos and photos to demonstrate her annoyance at the dogs’ barking. 

“They’re extremely noisy. I’m also probably planning on selling my home, which I think the barking of the dogs is going to deter a lot of people [from] buying my property,” she said.

“I can’t have people in my yard. I can’t speak on the phone. I can’t have my dinners outside in the backyard anymore … it’s just very, very annoying.”

Another nearby resident came to council to side with Tuytel. 

“It’s not fair to the neighbours,” said Jessica Black. “Also, when the dogs do bark, it sets off the other dogs in the neighbourhood too.”

Adrian said the barking only happened in the afternoon when she was home and only in minimal amounts. She said some of the barking was due to one particular issue.

“Now, the neighbour next to me on the far side, he has no problem with the dogs,” she said. “Do they bark at him? Absolutely. But he gives them cookies. So they’re barking at him and demanding cookies from him.”

Adrian said she was confused by what the fuss was about.

“I haven’t done anything different than I did in Surrey, so this is why I’m a little…,” said Adrian before being cut off by Coun. Bud Mercer.

“This is not Surrey. And we’re proud of it,” said Mercer, before going on to say that he was an RCMP dog handler for 14 years, and that he had “a bulls–t meter” for Adrian’s claims. 

What comes next?

After about 25 minutes of debate and cross-examination, Chilliwack council made its verdict: Adrian’s application was denied, and bylaw officers would be sent to work with her on a solution to the city’s three-dog policy. 

Mayor Ken Popove was perhaps the most sympathetic to Tuytel, and encouraged her to keep up her efforts if nothing changed.

“My next-door neighbour has a little Maltese or something like that, and he barks at the wind. I can’t imagine what you’re going through,” he said. 

“But take Coun. Mercer’s advice, and the more you complain about it, maybe she’ll move.”

While the vote to deny the permit was unanimous, Coun. Jason Lum said he hoped for “some grace on all sides” given the emotional stakes involved.

“We’ve made some choices sometimes where we allow four dogs, but usually that’s with the blessing of the full neighbourhood. And in this case, she just couldn’t achieve that,” he said.

“You know, we approve controversial developments … apartments, industrial developments. But the ones that sting the most are always the dogs.”