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DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE - A new initiative by the Hamlet of Fort Providence to control the community's dog population has been hailed as a success.

The hamlet sponsored a spaying and neutering program for dogs from Jan. 25 to 27. A total of approximately 30 dogs were operated on and were given vaccinations under the program. The hamlet paid for the expenses of all the procedures.

"It's been very successful," said Susan Christie, the hamlet's senior administrative officer.

The program was developed by the council as a proactive way to address the number of dogs in the hamlet.

"Just like any Northern community, we have a problem with an overpopulation of dogs," she said.

"We decided this is one way to handle it."

The dog problem in Fort Providence isn't any worse than the situations in other communities, but the council wanted to take action, Christie said. The program has been in the works for a while.

The idea was raised approximately two years ago at the council level. Under the leadership of former mayor Tina Gargan, the idea was brought forward again last summer and the process of finding a mobile veterinary clinic was started. Mackenzie Veterinary Service from High Level, Alta., was invited to submit a proposal and council accepted it, said Christie.

Christie wouldn't comment on the total cost of the program to the hamlet.

The program was advertised throughout the community and interested dog owners filled out applications forms. A schedule was developed so everything was ready when the veterinary clinic arrived, said Christie.

Approximately 25 residents used the program. The vet also had time to look after other animals whose owners paid out of their own pockets for a variety of procedures like grooming.

"It worked out really well for the whole community," she said.

The future of the program will depend on the hamlet council. If council wants to sponsor the program again the veterinary service would be willing to return, said Christie.

After a recent incident in the hamlet one resident said he sees the need for this program and stronger dog control.

The resident, who asked not to be identified, and his family, adopted a stray puppy they found near their house in November. The puppy, which they named Kaiser, lived outside in a doghouse.

On Jan. 25 the family discovered Kaiser had been injured. He had bite marks on his face and his left eye was out of its socket. Although no one saw the fight, they're confident another dog attacked Kaiser.

"I was upset," said the resident.

The family's children had grown attached to Kaiser, who was put down due to the injuries.

The incident could have been worse, the resident said.

"It easily could have been a child attacked," he said.

Between five and 10 dogs are running loose in the community at any given time, sometimes in groups, he said.

Christie said she's aware of the incident.

"It was very unfortunate that happened," she said.

There is a problem in the community with people allowing their dogs to run freely, she said, and even the dog in question was unleashed.

The hamlet has a bylaw stating dogs must be tied up, but without a bylaw officer there is no one to enforce it, she said.

The hamlet council is exploring the option of hiring a bylaw officer. To address the problem of loose dogs, the hamlet also uses the services of an out-of-town contractor who does dog control in the community at various times, said Christie.