(Facebook/Canine Action Project)

By Nigel Maxwell

Controlling the stray dog population

Education will help control stray dog population: Volunteer with Canine Action Project

Mar 15, 2019 | 2:00 PM

Staff members with the agency that helps First Nation communities deal with stray dog populations, is in the process of developing a comprehensive action plan, with the hope fewer communities will resort to shooting dogs.

Leanne Roberts, a volunteer with the Canine Action Project, told paNOW they try to show the comunity leaders the benefits of having dog control bylaws. She said just removing dogs, culling dogs, or spaying and neutering dogs, doesn’t fix the problem.

“You need to have something in place just like a city does. You know, if there was no animal control in Prince Albert, think of all the dogs and cats that would be running loose in our city,” she said.

The risks associated with stray dogs was highlighted in a recent story by paNOW. Earlier this month, two young girls on the James Smith Cree Nation, were attacked by a small pack of dogs. If a young man had not come along and fought off the dogs, the two girls might have been seriously hurt. Since the incident there has been a call within the community to have a formal dog management plan. Roberts said the solution is education.

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“You know, teach them about vaccinations and how healthy animals relate to healthy communities because dogs can pass diseases to humans,” she said.

Volunteers with The Canine Action Project act as a go-between First Nation communities and shelters in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Last year the Canine Action Project helped facilitate in the spaying and neutering of 190 animals. Since its inception in 2011, the group has helped re-home over 3,500 animals. All this comes at a cost and the agency is strictly run by a small group volunteers, who rely on fundraising and grants.

Roberts said costs vary. It could be a small $70 vet fee, or large procedures they cover, such as when an animal is hit by a vehicle.

To help with costs, a fundraiser has been planned for Saturday night at the Prince Albert Inn. Roberts said all money raised goes back to helping the animals.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell