Maple Ridge council is looking at tweaking its animal control bylaw, which would allow for Savannah cats, but not undomesticated serval cats to be kept as pets.

Serval cats are not listed as in the International Cat Association, but Savannah cats are, therefore the latter are allowed as part of the "domestic cat" category.

Several people came to Maple Ridge's Tuesday evening council meeting to speak about allowing Savannah and serval cats, and they were allowed to ask questions during question period.

Kelly Allen brought her serval cat Duma to the meeting as well.

Servals are allowed if owners can prove they are domesticated.

"[I'm] not sure what the test of that is," said Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin.

The animal control bylaw will come back for final reading at a future council meeting.

Coun. Cheryl Ashlie said she wanted the bylaw to go through at this point, but questioned why dogs weren't allowed in certain areas, for example, on playgrounds, pointing out that it's a common sight to see a mother pushing a stroller and walking the family dog. Often the family dog is a part of the family.

"I'm wondering if this is going too far," she said, adding it might be "stomping on" something families are doing with their dog.

Ashlie suggested that the bylaw be reviewed after a year to see if the dog restrictions are working.

mrantanen@mrtimes.com