Dogs have been a major issue in our community for a long time. Every once in a while the dog population gets so large that the dogs form packs, which can be dangerous. Dogs have attacked little kids at our school. Aggressive dogs have attacked people trying to deliver newsletters or walk home.
As of May 1, 2012, we will finally deal with this problem effectively!
The District of Port Hardy has signed an agreement to provide animal control services to the Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nations. Aries Security is the same company that does the animal control, so when they do their security patrols of Tsulquate, they will also be on the lookout for stray dogs.
So, community members, these are the new rules for ALL dogs on-reserve:
- They must be licensed (go to Port Hardy Municipal Hall, next to the Civic Centre. It's $50 per dog per year)
- They must be spayed or neutered, unless you get a business license to breed ($200 per year for the license)
- They must be tied up, behind a fence, or on a leash at all times. Any dogs (including puppies!) running around could be picked up and taken to the pound
If you think your dog is impounded:
- Check out Port-Hardy AnimalShelter on Facebook to see if they have your dog
- You have 72 hours (not including holidays or weekends) to retreive your dog from the pound, which is out by the vet on the Coal Harbour road
- You will have to pay a fine, which increases the more times your dog is impounded
According to the contract, here are the services we will receive and also what we are responsible for doing:
2. The District agrees as follows:
2.1 to catch and impound dogs within the boundaries of the Reserve that are found
to be at large;
2.2 to patrol Gwa’sala-Nakwaxda’xw Reserve (the “Reserve”) a minimum of three
patrols in each calendar week;
2.3 to respond as needed to calls for patrol;
2.4 impound cats that are delivered to the District’s Animal Shelter or delivered to
the Animal Control Officer during his patrol;
2.5 provide a written activity report on a monthly basis, detailing dates and times of
patrols.
3. The Council agrees as follows:
3.1 the Council shall, for the duration of this Agreement, maintain public liability
insurance against any and all claims made with respect to the performance of
the District within the lands under the control of the Gwa’sala-Nakwaxda’xw
First Nation;
3.2 the Council shall enact a Band Council Resolution pertaining to animal control
and said Resolution is attached hereto as Schedule “A”;
3.3 the Council shall initiate an animal care educational program for all members of
the Reserve;
3.4 the Council shall require that all dogs resident on the Reserve be licensed;
3.5 the Council shall appoint a primary contact(s) to liaison with the Animal Control
Officer and to request extra patrols;
3.6 the Council shall be responsible for all veterinary expenses for treatment or
euthanasia of animals, such treatment provided at the discretion of the Animal
Control Officer but excluding spaying and neutering.
4. The Animal Control Officer shall not respond to animal noise complaints.
5. It is understood that the Animal Control Officer does not have the authority of the
SPCA for purposes of animal cruelty investigations.