SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Some of the people the city initially consulted with earlier this year on a dog bylaw say they are against a limit being placed on the number of dogs a person can own.
Taking kennel dog Nanook for a walk are kennel assistant Indiana McNiven, left, and Borealis Kennels and Pet Supplies owner Jo-Anne Cooper in Kam Lake on Tuesday. Cooper is against the city placing a limit on the number of dogs a person can have in a household. - Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo |
Comments by residents on the draft bylaw are being solicited at a public meeting to be held at city hall from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday.
The city met with Nicole Spencer, president of the NWT SPCA, Jo-Anne Cooper, owner of Borealis Kennels and Pet Supplies, and Dr. Michael Hughes of the Yellowknife Veterinary Clinic, on Feb. 19. All three oppose the city imposing a limit on the number of dogs an owner can keep in a household.
Cooper said this week that she thinks the bylaw should focus more on its enforcement capabilities, rather than create a cap on the number of dogs. She is asking her customers to vote on the city's online survey, which asks if people support the limit. But she is disappointed there is only a comment section and not an option to place a capped number figure.
"We're getting everybody to vote but people are asking what the limit is," she said. "I tell them if you keep voting yes, the city can pick whatever number they want."
Nicole Spencer, president of the NWT SPCA, said she plans to make a presentation to
council. She said a strengthened bylaw overall is long overdue and she continues to hope that a limit is not placed on the dogs.
The SPCA believes that an irresponsible pet owner with one dog could cause more nuisances in some cases than an owner with four dogs who is responsible, she said.
"I think this is because of a couple of complaints that (the idea) is even in there," she said. "It doesn't acknowledge at all the number of pet owners that are responsible.
"There aren't a lot of complaints that I know of and for a city this big, it is pretty good that there are only a few complaints."
There are strengthened stipulations which she feels are very positive, however, including one that dictates owners have to give proper food and water and that bylaw officers will be able to enter cars if necessary when they find a dog inside with the windows rolled up.
"Some of the harsher penalties for dog owners who aren't properly taking care of their dogs - that is a good thing," she said, pointing to a recent example where neighbours contacted the SPCA about a dog who she said had been left on a patio with the owners away, but was still being fed. The dog, she has been told by neighbours, was in need of medical attention, but there is little bylaw can do right now.
"Because the bylaw isn't yet in effect, bylaw can't yet do anything about an incident like that. There are dogs out there that need this bylaw to be enacted."
According to city documents, Hughes indicated in writing he is against a limit on the number of dogs per household.
The city is asking for residents to give their opinion on whether the dog bylaw should impose a limit on the number of dogs which can be owned or possessed on personal property at Thursday's lunch-hour meeting, to be held in council chambers.
