LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - The Village of Fort Simpson has made its bylaw officer a full time position in response to a recent dog mauling that left a family pet clinging to life.

When Walter Blondin left his house in Wild Rose on the afternoon of Nov. 13 to pick up his wife and son in the village the family's dog Patches was fine.

When they returned, his wife Cheryl went to feed Patches who was on a chain beside the doghouse.

"She ran back in and said there's something wrong with Patches, so I ran out," said Blondin.

Patches, a wolf/german shepherd cross, was badly hurt and the snow surrounding the doghouse was splattered with blood.

The dog's throat was torn open and one side of his face including an ear was torn down, said Blondin. Patches' rear hips were also covered with bite marks.

"He was just soaked in blood," Blondin said.

Blondin said he believes Patches was attacked by the packs of dogs that roam Wild Rose. While Patches was bleeding in his doghouse Blondin watched as a pack of five to six dogs returned to his yard three times. Each time Blondin used a bear banger to scare them off.

The mauling has deeply affected his family, said Blondin. Patches has been with the family for 15 years.

"We're all in tears. We're very upset because Patches is a member of the family. We can't even agree if we're going to put him down," he said.

Packing dogs are an ongoing problem around the village and in Wild Rose, said Blondin. There are usually five to six big dogs wandering around the subdivision at any given time, he said.

Blondin said he's concerned about the safety of local children.

"Attacking other dogs transcends immediately to attacking human beings," he said.

Right across from his house, which is located at the corner of Tsetso Trail and Cazon Crescent, is a bus stop where children gather on their way to school.

Blondin or his wife always waits with their son for the bus, partially because of loose dogs. Dogs often follow students to the bus stop and then pack together after they leave. Sometimes dogfights break out while the kids are waiting, he said.

No animal deserves to be shot because it has irresponsible owners but the safety of children and the community comes first, said Blondin who wants to see the village destroy all loose dogs immediately.

"That would send the appropriate message to people who are legitimately concerned about their pets," he said.

Blondin presented his case to the village council during their meeting on Nov. 15. During an in-camera session the council passed a resolution to increase the bylaw officers hours from 21 to 37.5 a week, upgrading him from a part time to a full time employee.

The village is also considering flexing the officer's hours so that weekend and evening patrols can be conducted, said Mark Hall, the village's senior administrative officer.

"We are taking immediate steps to try and address dogs at large," said Hall.

The council discussed a number of options including using tranquilizer darts to capture dogs that currently can't be caught. The village is also in discussions with veterinarians about lowering the cost of spaying and neutering to reduce the number of dogs over time, said Hall.

Another option that's being examined is the creation of an education campaign, possibly for the schools, to encourage responsible pet ownership.

The village has always had an issue with loose dogs but the attack highlighted the fact that something needs to be done now, said Mayor Sean Whelly.

For the capital budget in January the village is looking to identify a location and funds to set up a heated containment facility for captured dogs. The dogs could be held for at least three days giving responsible owners the chance to pick them up, said Whelly.

The village would like to avoid shooting dogs but it is an option, Whelly said.