Several changes coming to Essex when it comes to the treatment of animals.
Town council has passed bylaws banning circuses with performing animals, the mistreatment of exotic animals as well as adding causing mental distress to the list of enforceable offenses.
Executive Director of the Windsor-Essex County Humane Society, Melanie Coulter, says it's a major win for animal welfare.
Coulter says the circus ban is a huge move forward.
"First municipality that's done that, continue the trend of taking a lot of leadership on animal issues. The bylaw that they passed also includes a number of other provisions that are really positive for animal welfare allowing us tools that enhance what we have provincially."
She says circuses that use animals are on the way out.
"The number of circuses actually uses animals has dropped because there's so much controversy about it, but it is certainly a statement that this is not something that the Town of Essex supports because there are still circuses that use animals out there and people still attend them often not realizing how bad they are for animals."
Coulter says Essex is the first municipality in the area to include 'mental distress' in a bylaw.
"It's positive because it really just adds an extra tool to our tool chest when you're dealing with potentially issuing a provincial offense charge versus being able to ticket someone. A mental distress provision, causing mental distress, is a huge step forward and definitely that's the first one in the area to include that provision."
One recommendation that did not pass was a four hour dog tethering limit...the current bylaw allows for 12 hours.
The Humane Society and town administration were directed to gather public input and come back in the new year with a full report on the recommended change.
Windsor and LaSalle have adopted the four hour tethering bylaw.