Hay River (Mar 01/04) - The message was loud and clear and the response was immediate. Residents of Hay River -- at least the 18 at a Feb. 25 public meeting -- want action on loose dogs in the community.

Morgan Dupuis said something has to be done before someone gets hurt.

Karen Hoose said dog owners have to be shown there are consequences for letting their dogs run free.

And Louise Schumann told of being afraid to take her children sliding or to parks because of roaming dogs. "It's not fair to us," she said.

The day after the meeting, the Town of Hay River temporarily assigned an employee and vehicle from its public works division to help the bylaw enforcement officer pick up loose dogs.

"We'll keep at it until we get the situation under control," said John Pollard, senior administrative officer for the town.

Pollard said the situation will be reviewed early this week to see if there is any change and some people who attended the public meeting will be asked if they notice a difference.

Bylaw enforcement officer Art Loupret does not think there is a dog problem in the community, noting only one dog had been picked up by mid-afternoon Friday.

"I think it's an over-reaction," Loupret said of the concern in the community.

As usual, dogs with tags will be returned to their owners after a first offence.

Dogs without tags, or those picked up the second time or thereafter will be taken to the pound.

In 2003, 89 dogs were picked up for running at large.

At the public meeting, there was general agreement among residents that fines for owners of loose dogs are too low. Fines begin at $50 and increase each time an animal is picked up.

However, Pollard said education is the answer to the problem, not higher fines.

"I really believe raising the bar on the money is not going to solve the problem."

Not everybody seemed convinced of the benefits of education.

"You cannot educate the adults," resident John Carriere said. "You can forget that."

Information on the town's animal control bylaw will be sent out in water bills and there may be advertising to promote responsible dog ownership.