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BEHCHOKO - The recent charge of animal cruelty against Behchoko artist Archie Beaulieu has raised questions about whether the territory has suitable regulations on dog ownership and dog kennels.

Euthanizing Beaulieu's 44 dogs was made possible by a recent amendment to Behchoko's bylaws in June.

"The new bylaw gave us the power to act much more promptly on this," said Behchoko community spokesperson Craig Yeo.

Previous dog bylaws required the town to wait 48 hours before destroying a dog.

The new law gave them power to destroy unlicensed dogs immediately.

Beaulieu's dogs were not licensed.

Yeo said there is an allowance in the bylaw for kennel owners to register their dogs at a reduced price, rather than paying $20 per dog.

He said the bylaw was changed because of a problem with roaming dogs in the community.

There were 90 reported dog bites in 2005.

"Dogs are not the problem at all. It's people who don't control or care for their dogs," said Yeo.

Sarah Hunt, president of the NWT SPCA, said she and other board members agree with recent comments made by veterinarian Dr. Tom Pisz about the need for better regulations.

"If there had been some sort of regulation in place this would never have happened," said Hunt.

She said most communities currently have bylaws allowing town officials to capture and euthanize stray dogs if no owner comes forward. In the case of Beaulieu's animals, the dogs were not loose but were allegedly being neglected.

Hunt, who became president in September, said the recent events in Behchoko have set the tone for what the SPCA is planning for the next year.

"This incident has certainly opened our eyes," she said.

She said an education campaign on what constitutes animal cruelty may be needed. Providing food, water and shelter is not enough for most dogs.

Hunt said exercise is a fourth and vital component of a dog's quality of life.

"Our role from here on in is to focus on public education on what neglect looks like," said Hunt

She said most kennel owners are responsible and diligent in the care of their animals.

The NWT currently has no territorial regulations on kennels or dog ownership. Regulations on kennels vary from province to province. In Alberta, kennels are monitored on several levels.

Mike Dennis, owner and operator if Parkland Kennels West in Stony Plain, Alta., said his business had to be cleared to operate at three levels.

"You need a licence from the municipality where you are operating, just like a business licence," said Dennis.

After that, clearance is required from the Alberta Health Department. Dennis said the health department is only concerned with how he will dispose of the dogs' waste.

Thirdly, he faces a yearly drop-in inspection from the Alberta SPCA.

"They've never had any problems with my place," said Dennis, who said he has been in business for 21 years now.

What works in Alberta might not work here in the territories. The NWT SPCA has fewer resources to work with.

Hunt said the group has no dedicated location and relies on the Great Slave Animal Hospital to provide shelter for strays.

An inspection system would be hampered by the cost of travelling to remote communities.

While kennels are run as businesses in Alberta and Yellowknife, recreational dog sledding is much more common in the NWT.

While calling for changes territorially, Hunt said changes are also needed at a federal level.

"Right now the federal animal cruelty act under the criminal code is quite lenient," said Hunt.

The charges Beaulieu will be facing will come from the federal level. If convicted he could face two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.