IQALUIT - Iqaluit city council voted to allow bylaw officers to destroy unidentified dogs 12 hours after they've been caught, instead of the usual 72 hours.

"We're hamstrung by the 72-hour requirement of the bylaw," chief municipal enforcement officer Doug Vincent told city council on Dec. 8.

Vincent said the city has an outbreak of canine parvovirus, a very contagious disease that is especially dangerous to puppies. It does not affect humans.

The Iqaluit Humane Society detected the outbreak when two dogs that had been sent to Ottawa tested positive for the disease.

The disease affects the dogs' intestines, causing vomiting and bloody diarrhea.

Because of the outbreak, the humane society is not taking in dogs apprehended by bylaw officers. Meanwhile, the city's pound is under quarantine, and dogs can't be taken there after they've been picked up. Apprehended dogs are being kept in a few small kennels at the bylaw office.

According to Vincent, the reduced holding time will be a temporary measure. The bylaw amendment will expire in three months.

Also under the amended bylaw, if officers pick up a dog with symptoms of parvovirus, the dog will be destroyed immediately, without the 12-hour wait period.

Council held a special session on Thursday, Dec. 10, to pass the bylaw amendment.

There is a treatment for parvo, but it is expensive and not available in Iqaluit unless there is a veterinarian visiting.

Vincent advised Iqalummiut to keep their dogs inside and get dog tags for them in case they get loose.