By Nigel Maxwell

UPDATED: Opposition leads Northern community to cancel dog cull

Sep 18, 2013 | 6:53 AM

Due to public pressure, a dog cull at Deschambault Lake has been temporarily called off.

“There's been some concern expressed by some people outside the community that it shouldn't happen,” said Coun. Cornelius Ballantyne.

The shooting of stray dogs is an annual event at Deschambault Lake. It's done to help control the stray dog population. When they accumulate in packs, the stray dogs have been known to get quite aggressive.

“There have been some incidents in the past where the dogs accumulate at the school. They follow the kids to the school in the morning,” said Ballantyne.

Ballantyne said no one in the community has ever been injured by a stray dog.

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The band is now exploring other alternatives, such as dog control bylaws. Ballantyne said the door is also open to working with other groups such as the SPCA.

“We are discussing the status right now and we hope to come up with some solution in the very near future,” said Ballantyne.

And the SPCA is welcoming this move.

“We saw it as a really positive step forward for the band,” said Debbie Lehner, manager of the Prince Albert SPCA.

The SPCA was among the groups who was very vocal about their opposition to the cull. Lehner said the cancellation represents a new trend.

“You know more and more of the bands are starting to look for other options, looking for ways to put animal control policies and procedures in place.”

In terms of what the SPCA could do now to help, Lehner said that was a difficult question to answer.

“Our commitment is to the City of Prince Albert and surrounding areas. We do and have taken dogs from all over the province only based on space availability and extenuating circumstances,” she said.

The SPCA is currently at full capacity, but Lehner said they could assist by contacting other animal rescue agencies in the province who may have more space for the dogs.

nmaxwell@rawlco.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell