INUVIK - After a controversial incident last November, Linda Eccles finds herself at home, waiting out her contract with the Town of Inuvik.

Linda Eccles has been released as animal control officer and is waiting out the rest of her contract at home. After euthanizing a dog in late November, Eccles was told she was no longer needed with the town office. A group of concerned residents is speaking up for Eccles and wants the town office to be accountable for its actions. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Eccles served as animal control officer since January 2007.

In mid-November, Inuvik Drum was informed that a local man's dog was killed without his knowledge.

Eccles euthanized Thunder, Paul Petrin's pet, but she contends that she was within her legal rights to do so.

In a press release by Eccles, she states that the dog had no identification and nobody called looking for it.

Town records state that Eccles put the dog down on Sunday, Nov. 18.

She said she picked up the dog on Thursday, Nov. 15.

Petrin said he has witnesses that his dog was home with him until the evening of Friday, Nov. 16.

Eccles stated in her report that the animal almost attacked her in the animal control facility and she had received complaints about the animal being vicious, with witnesses identifying this animal as the one that had attacked them.

It was on Thursday, Nov. 22 that Petrin found his dog's remains at the dump, near the animal control facility.

Petrin held the Town of Inuvik accountable for her actions, which led to the town and Petrin settling on an undisclosed amount.

Eccles states that the town broke its own bylaw by settling with the owner.

Bylaw #1508/AC/97 sec. 17(f) declares: "No damage or compensation may be recovered where an animal is sold, destroyed or otherwise disposed of by an animal control officer," reads the statement.

Since the incident, Inuvik Drum has received phone calls from concerned residents who support Eccles and want answers from the Town of Inuvik.

One woman, who only wanted to be identified as Paula, said Eccles was dong the community a good service.

"Linda has lost her job over this," she said.

Support for Eccles also came in the form of a letter.

Marianne McCashin wrote that Eccles' service is much needed in town.

"The number of unpaid hours dedicated to the SPCA by Linda Eccles speaks to her personal commitment to the well being and humane treatment of animals," she wrote.

"This town would be devastated without her."

Eccles phoned Inuvik Drum with a few comments of her own, to add to the press release.

Eccles said she hasn't been in contact with the town office since the day they let her go.

"Nobody has contacted me since the day the SAO handed me that envelope," she said.

"She told me my services were no longer needed and then she escorted me home and took the truck back."

It was then Eccles was informed her contract would not be renewed in January.

The Town of Inuvik announced in a December press release that animal control services are still available.

"Animals will be picked up as required and will be treated in a humane manner," reads the document.

"The safety and well-being of Inuvik's citizens and animals continues to be a priority for Council and the bylaw department."

The release also reads that the town is still looking for adoptive families for dogs at the facility at the dump.

Mayor Derek Lindsay refused to comment on the situation.

A concerned group of residents is planning to bring the issue to town council in the new year, but representative Val Tomlinson was not available for comment before press time.