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The Scoop on Poop and Scoop
Article By: Glenn Redmond
A recent article in the Shoreline caught my attention:
"Feces raise mayors hackles." It went on to
explain how fed up the Mayor of Paradise is over the issue
of dog waste on public fields and trails. "I got
so mad yesterday evening that I would take every dog in
Paradise to Mount Pearl to be euthanized!" Mayor
Wiseman said. "It just burns me so much that idiots
are allowed to own dumb animals."
Wiseman asked council about the possibility of employing
another municipal enforcement officer to step up patrols
in some areas saying, "It's unbelievable that we
have to spend tax payer's dollars to go out to try to
keep the dogs off the soccer fields where kids play".
Now, do not get me wrong. I, more than anybody, am disgusted
with the amount of feces left behind by irresponsible
pet owners and certainly do not enjoy the occasional deposits
on my shoes. However, reactive tirades from our public
officials concerning animal issues are becoming increasingly
common and do nothing to create solutions.
Headlines
It seems every year, its one issue or another making
headlines. It stays hot for a while and then fades by
memory until another dog bites somebody, cats tear up
too much garbage, or somebody steps in pet feces. All
along the problems stay, moving further away from permanent
solutions as anger and hostility grow.
In April, Bill Bruce, the Chief Bylaw Enforcement Officer
for the City of Calgary, came to St. John's to highlight
the excellent animal model Calgary has. The model was
designed and implemented by Bruce and his team and has
been recognized as leading North America in innovation
and success of animal control programs and has become
a model in numerous jurisdictions.
The bulk of the model is outlined in the Responsible
Pet Ownership Bylaw, which lists all of the regulations
a pet owner must meet to comply with the city of Calgary.
The program is driven by mandatory licensing for both
dogs and cats, costing between $10 and $50 annually. The
other key components are education and enforcement.
Education
In one of the conversations I had with Bruce, he said
that enforcement without education is a one-way street.
Calgary makes it mandatory that all pet owners educate
themselves about their rights and responsibilities as
owners. The education the city provides helps ensure that
companion animals lead long, healthy lives and are respected
and welcomed members of our community.
Now, I have preached these same sentiments in various
seminars and public speaking venues, often to be met with
stuff like, "education doesn't work," or "you're
preaching to the converted." Fair enough, but for
those who wish to ignore the education process, the enforcement
component kicks in, and they are not messing around in
Calgary. The fine for having an unlicenced animal or not
stopping to poop and scoop is $250.00. If you choose not
to pay, then good luck renewing your driver's licence
or your mortgage, as unpaid fines could be assigned to
your land taxes.
Bylaw officers in Calgary are highly trained and have
the same powers of arrest, as do police officers, ensuring
the effectiveness of the enforcement component of the
system.
The money collected from licensing and fines goes directly
into the animal control budget, not into general revenues.
Self-sustaining
Now, here is the part that I want every public official
and taxpayer to understand. This is a self-sustaining
system with not one red penny of taxpayer's money being
spent on animal control in the City of Calgary.
The system is so successful that last year animal control
donated $250,000 to the Calgary Humane Services out of
a surplus fund.
They are actually making money - not bad for a city that
was experiencing the same problems we have here not too
long ago.
Today, in Calgary, all aspects of the animal world including
rescue groups, the SPCA, Humane Services, Trainers, Veterinarians
and public officials work together to ensure the welfare
of the animals and the safety and happiness of the community.
We do not have to re-invent the wheel in this province.
Calgary has the best model in North America and is more
than happy to share it and to help in any way they can.
If we want permanent solutions to animal issues in Newfoundland,
we need more action and less talk, especially uneducated
rants born out of frustration and anger.
I am sure their will be another rant soon, so don't worry
if you missed this one. Just stay tuned for the next.
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