For some local canines, Minto’s recent decision will be a real lifesaver.
Last week, Minto’s bylaw enforcement officer Tim Lewis spoke to council about an option instead of euthanizing local dogs in the town’s custody. He said traditionally, when a dog is picked up it is held for three days. If it is not claimed or adopted, in the past they have been euthanized.
“We started taking a look at that [policy] for a number of reasons,” Lewis said.
One reason is a concern from citizens about what was going on with the dogs.
“Plus, in today’s world, appearances mean a lot,” Lewis said.
As a result, officials began looking at alternatives to euthanasia in situations where, through no fault of its own, a dog does not have a home.
“Thankfully, through one of our citizens,” he said he learned of the Owen Sound animal shelter, which has a program that “offers a politically correct way to handle the dogs … and is also cost effective.”
He said that once the dog enforcement person is paid and the dog is euthanized by a vet, the cost can be between $110 and $140.
“If we get involved with the Owen Sound animal shelter, a not-for-profit organization, they will take the dog as long as it is not vicious or does not appear to be.”
He admitted it is sometimes difficult to tell because at first the animal may simply be disoriented and, as a result, not too friendly.
Lewis said dogs that have bitten someone or are known to be vicious would not qualify for the program. Those qualifying would be picked up and taken to the shelter, cleaned up, and made sure it has had the proper shots. If they have to do some conditioning or retraining, they will do that, Lewis said.
“Then they will find it a home.”
“The cost savings for us could be anywhere from $25 to $60 a dog, depending on what’s going on.”
He added that “Even if we only broke even, it would still be the right thing to do.”
Mayor David Anderson said that the fact is the agency is finding new homes for the animals.
“That in itself is a benefit,” he said.
“It’s a bonus in saving taxpayers’ money, but the other side is I think we’ve all had dogs at one time and they are great animals to have. It’s good that you found about this. It’s an excellent way of doing it.”
He asked if the shelter has problems finding animals.
Lewis said, “Apparently not … they were quite keen in coming down.”
He noted that one of its employees is from Mount Forest and will come to Minto and pick up an animal and take it to Owen Sound.
Minto would need to sign forms giving the shelter full control of the dog. “We’ve gone over the legalities.”
Lewis considered this approach the right direction, and said it came about because a citizen provided the information.
