INUVIK - An overrun puppy population in Inuvik has led to 80 dogs being sent south for adoption already this year, far more than average in the past decade.

Linda Eccles, executive director of the Inuvik SPCA, stated too much backyard breeding has contributed to the problem and points to repeat offenders who keep dogs in heat chained up in their yard.

"People at lunch let their dogs run around the community and they will stay with the dog in heat for days," Eccles said. "Most of them are under two years of age and in a few years, they've had five or six litters and their bodies are breaking down."

Eccles acknowledges that Inuvik has always had a dog problem and suggested that not having a vet in town has contributed to the problem. The SPCA has an agreement to send dogs to either the Yellowknife SPCA or to Pawsitive Match, a dog rescue organization based out of Calgary.

"If we didn't send the dogs south, it would just be crazy," Eccles said. "In my 11 years, this is the most we've sent out."

Inuvik hired a new bylaw officer in March and Daniel Browne from Placentia, N.L., has had his hands full since then. He comes with seven years experience, including three years in Iqaluit. Although his work involves enforcing adherence to traffic signs and taxi licences and keeping them up to an acceptable standard, most of his time is spent dealing with the dog population.

Since the middle of March, Browne has dealt with 15 animal complaints and held nine dogs in custody. Both Eccles and Browne say that keeping dogs tethered would help control the population and the number of lost dogs. Registering dogs, too, would also help.

"Having the dogs registered would benefit the owners because if the dog is lost, they will get it back in a short time," Browne said. "The pound is a temporary housing facility, not a shelter. After 72 hours or three business days, if we don't have anyone who makes claim to the dog, it becomes property of the town."

Once Browne collects a lost dog, he takes a photo and posts signs around the community -- at the post office, pharmacy and grocery stores. If no one claims it and the dog is deemed adoptable, the town will try to find a local owner or send the pet south to Pawsitive Match.

"We make every effort to find the owner first," Browne said. "But most dogs do go out."

Eccles said tying dogs up is not only for the protection of other dogs, but also for the safety of the community. She said if people don't train their dogs, they become unmanageable and undesirable as pets, so the owners let them out into the community.

"The dogs are hungry and if a kid is walking by with food, he'll bite and it's pretty traumatic for a kid or anybody," Eccles said. "It's about safety first. Nobody likes to get bit by a dog and our children should be safe."

Registering a dog costs $10 if spayed and neutered, $20 if not. Pick-up fees for a lost dog are $75 for a non-licensed dog and $50 for a licensed dog.

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