Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Sep 28/01) - Marilyn Fehr is concerned about loose dogs within the community.

Fehr said she has worried about this issue for some time, but that that concern was heightened last June when her six-year-old son was attacked by three dogs.

"An adult intervened, fortunately," Fehr said. "I hate to think what would have happened if someone hadn't intervened."

Fehr said her children don't ride their bikes near their home along Tuma Drive anymore, and she knows of people in other areas that worry about loose dogs.

She said she knows of at least two children that were bit by loose dogs recently.

According to the town's dog bylaw, dogs must be tied up or on a leash, or contained in a pen. Fehr said she's concerned especially about owners who repeatedly violate the bylaw and simply pay the fines.

Fehr also said there's a lot of dogs in town that belong to breeds considered aggressive.

"I have nothing against any of those dogs if the owners are responsible," Fehr said.

"I don't think our kids or anybody needs to walk down the streets in fear because of irresponsbile dog owners."

Fehr pointed out she herself loves dogs, and has 16 sled dogs.

Fehr said adults often don't consider the problem posed by loose dogs.

"When you have a four year old who weighs 40 pounds and they're at eye level, it becomes a whole other ball game," she said.

"There are a lot of loose dogs once you start looking. If you look from a child's perspective, there are a lot of loose dogs."

Fehr wrote a letter to the town on the issue, and she appeared before town council earlier this month.

The administration committee is to examine the dog bylaw this week, and council will debate the issue again at its meetings next Monday and Wednesday.

Right now dog owners pay a fine of $100 the first time their dog is picked up for being loose. The fine increases to $150 for the second offence, and caps at $200 for third and repeat offences.

Mayor Peter Clarkson said one thing the town could do would be to raise the fines to encourage dog owners to be more responsible.