Banning the sale of bunnies that haven't been fixed is the "responsible approach" to curbing the overpopulation of rabbits in Coquitlam parks, the city's mayor said.
At Monday's city council meeting, Mayor Richard Stewart said council debated stopping the sale of bunnies altogether but decided against that approach as it believed residents would shop in other municipalities to buy unsterilized bunnies.
Making sure the pets are spayed or neutered would prevent a snap decision as the animals would cost significantly more because of the procedure, Stewart argued.
In 2010, council gave three readings to the draft bylaw; however, the policy has been in Victoria since then awaiting approval as wildlife prohibitions fall under provincial jurisdiction, deputy city manager John Dumont told council earlier this month.
Violating the new regulation could cost $500 in fines.
