The Village of Burns Lake is taking proactive steps to tackle the ongoing problem of stray dogs in the community and has outlined new solutions, chief administrative officer Sheryl Worthing said following a Dec. 10 council meeting.
This initiative comes in response to growing concerns over the safety risks posed by loose dogs, particularly at William Konkin Elementary School, where reports of aggressive dogs and dog fights have forced children indoors and disrupted school activities.
To address these concerns, the Village of Burns Lake held a townhall meeting on November 6, where community members came together to discuss and suggest several solutions.
The issue of stray dogs in Burns Lake first surfaced in April when students and staff at William Konkin Elementary School raised alarms about dogs running at large on school grounds. The situation quickly escalated, with several incidents involving dog fights and safety risks to children. The village’s bylaw officer, who handles these matters, works part-time and lacks specialized training in animal control, which has limited the effectiveness of enforcement measures. Additionally, many of the dogs causing disturbances are unlicensed, making it difficult for authorities to track and identify their owners.
In the months following the initial reports, the Village of Burns Lake committed to addressing the issue through improved enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and enhanced control measures.
The November 6 town hall meeting was a key step in gathering input from residents and forming a comprehensive approach to managing the growing problem of stray and unlicensed dogs in the area.
At the town hall, residents presented a wide range of suggestions to address the issue of loose and unlicensed dogs. Village officials compiled these ideas into a set of proposed solutions, which focus on both increasing compliance with dog ownership regulations and promoting responsible pet ownership.
One of the primary measures proposed is increasing the uptake of dog licenses by setting up periodic dog licensing booths at public events, Worthing said.
To encourage residents to license their dogs, the village plans to offer several incentives. Among these are a “get out of jail free” card for any licensed dog that is impounded, as well as coupons for free activities, including kayaking at Radley Beach and public skating at the local rink. These incentives aim to reduce the number of unlicensed dogs in the community and encourage responsible pet ownership.
In addition to licensing incentives, the village plans to launch a multimedia campaign aimed at educating residents about the importance of spaying and neutering pets, as well as promoting responsible pet ownership. The campaign will also emphasize the need for proper dog care and the importance of keeping dogs under control. Another key initiative is the creation of a registry of local animal support volunteers, with the village planning to collaborate more closely with these volunteers to address issues related to stray or neglected animals.
Looking beyond immediate solutions, Worthing said, the Village of Burns Lake is also considering long-term changes to its bylaws to better manage the dog population. One significant proposed amendment is to limit households to two dogs per address, rather than per person, which would help curb overpopulation and prevent larger numbers of dogs from being kept in a single household. Additionally, the village is considering offering free dog licenses as a way to further incentivize compliance and reduce the number of unlicensed dogs.
Another proposed change is a prohibition on the sale or giveaway of puppies. This measure would aim to reduce the number of dogs entering the community without proper oversight, which could help mitigate the growing issue of stray and unlicensed animals.
The financial implications of the proposed initiatives mainly involve staff time, particularly for activities like pamphlet distribution, social media efforts, and the Bylaw Officer's presence. One potential cost is the loss of revenue from dog licenses, which could amount to approximately $1,500 annually due to incentives aimed at encouraging more dog registrations. These incentives may include low-cost rewards, such as swag or in-kind offerings like free public skating admissions.
In addition, staff also highlighted maintaining a registry of animal support volunteers, lobbying for a stronger SPCA presence in Burns Lake and partnering with local First Nations for animal control.
