June 2, 2000
MICHAELA RODRIGUE
Nunatsiaq News
IQALUIT ó Stray dogs swept off Iqaluit's streets spend their last days in a cold, dark sealift container before they are eventually shot.
But some residents in Iqaluit say it's now time for a more humane way of dealing with strays.
"The structure that exists right now is not adequate," said Iqaluit resident Cassandra Jackaman. Jackaman, along with a handful of other residents, have banded together under the name "People and Pets."
"It would promote a positive image for Nunavut if the municipality took responsibility to ensure there is a shelter," Jackaman said.
Last month, Jackaman told Iqaluit town councilors that the municipality should create a shelter for strays with enough heat and light and enough space to run an adoption program. People and Pets also wants the town to run a subsidized spay and neuter program.
Sealift container
Iqaluit's stray dogs are stored in a sealift container located at the town's North 40 area. The container isn't lit and it isn't heated. Lined with wood-flooring, the seacan is separated into four stalls by wire fencing.
Each day Jerry Groves, one of Iqaluit's four dog control officers for the town, waters and feeds the dogs, but he doesn't let them out for exercises. The seacan, Groves said, is usually full.
Dog control officers are authorized to dispatch any dog found off a chain. But Groves says he tries to keep track of owners and return the strays.
But if a dog isn't reclaimed or adopted within three days, it's shot.
While giving a tour of the sea can, Groves estimated dog control kills about 11 animals each week. The weekend before speaking with Nunatsiaq News Groves shot six animals and removed a number of other dogs from Iqaluit roads that had been hit by traffic.
On the day of the tour the shelter is empty and Groves carries a small puppy that was adopted just in time to avoid death.
"This is when the job gets hard," Groves said pointing to the small puppy.
What to do with Iqaluit's stray animals has been an ongoing question for the community.
Until about six months ago, dogs were kept near the garbage dump, where they were exposed to the smoke and soot of the Town's garbage fires.
"It wasn't good for the dogs or us when you have to go out and breath that," Groves said. Groves, along with his partners, began constructing the new facility last year.
Criminal Code violations?
Jackaman says she appreciates the change in venue for the dogs, but she says an unlit, unheated seacan may not meet the requirements set out under Canada's Criminal Code. Sect. 446 (1) of the code prohibits any owner or custodian of an animal from willfully neglecting or failing to provide suitable and adequate food, water, shelter and care for it.
When she spoke before Iqaluit Town Council, Jackaman questioned whether Iqaluit's facility is in line with the Criminal Code.
"I can't say for sure but I would have concerns about the way it's been described," Jackaman said.
Heather Priest is a licensed veterinarian and a resident of Iqaluit. She doesn't operate a full-time clinic, but she does treat some animals in need.
She too says the municipality needs to follow the Criminal Code. But she says it's debatable what that means in a northern community with a wide variety of dog breeds.
"Whether or not it's against the criminal code is hard to say," Priest said.
Many Inuit sled dogs and other kinds of long-haired dogs don't need a heated facility, Priest says. But the other small short-hair dogs that roam Iqaluit's streets may need heat. Priest also worries that without proper ventilation, the seacan may become overheated during the long hours of sunlight.
At the same time, Priest says she believes Groves and the other dog control officers would not allow dogs to suffer and she admits it may not be practical to build a "state-of-the-art facility in Iqaluit. Groves has plans to poke holes in the roof of the sea can.
Best the town can afford?
Groves admits there may be criticisms of the current sea shelter but he said it's the best the town has right now.
"Eventually we would like to see something with heat, drainage and running water. It's not the best of places, but it's all we have right now," Groves said.
Groves stresses that dogs only stay at the seacan for a few days at most.
But changes to the Criminal Code may place a greater burden on the municipality to provide a heated facility said Bob Van Tongerloo, executive director of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.
Criminal Code amendments introduced last year by Justice Minister Anne McLellan would remove cruelty to animals provisions from the property crimes category. The amendments would also make the possible penalty for cruelty unlimited.
"Currently, you'd say these are not owned animals, they're just temporarily being taken care of by the municipality, and therefore it's not really their responsibility," Van Tongerloo said. "In the future that won't matter."
Neville Wheaton, Iqaluit's director of bylaw enforcement, says he believes the town is complying with the Criminal Code.
"There's a general perception that these dogs are mistreated and they're not."
Wheaton said he wants to work with any group within the community to make improvements to Iqaluit's dog control system.
Spay and neuter program for Iqaluit?
After Nunatsiaq News press-time this week, Wheaton was to present council with information on the potential costs of a subsidized spay and neuter program.
Coun. Lynda Gunn recently studied Iqaluit's dog bylaw as part of an ad hoc committee on sled dogs. She said the town must address the issue of stray or neglected dogs in its bylaw.
But she said cost is an ever-present factor in the debate.
"There is still the problem of dog teams in town and putting down so many dogs. But how do you address that? Do you build a pound? Can the municipality afford it?"
Gunn would like to see the municipality launch a public education campaign on proper dog care.
She said she thinks Iqaluit should lobby Nunavut's Community Government Department for the cash to launch such a program.
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