May 13, 2008

The City of Pitt Meadows won't be picking up stray dogs until it signs a new contract for animal control.

The decision follows a string of problems that arose after Coquitlam council threatened the SPCA with a court injunction if it didn't get the dogs out of its 48-year-old shelter on Pipeline Road.

The decision affected Pitt Meadows, which had a contract with the B.C. Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for animal control.

"It will be a bit of a problem," said Leslie Elchuk, Pitt Meadow's bylaw enforcement officer.

The SPCA stopped taking dogs to its Coquitlam facility last May and had been bringing surrendered or injured animals to either its Burnaby or Maple Ridge shelters.

The SPCA, however, was forced to cancel its animal control contract with Pitt Meadows six months early, on June 27, after Maple Ridge said it would no longer accept Pitt pooches.

Pitt Meadows council is currently exploring options for animal control and expects to solicit a request for proposals within weeks.

Until a new contract is signed, Elchuk has requested council hire a part-time bylaw enforcement officer to deal with barking dogs, control of animals in public places and the sale or renewal of dog licenses.

The SPCA impounds an average of six dogs a year from Pitt Meadows.

In a report to council Tuesday, Elchuk suggest that from June 28 until a new contract is signed, response to vicious dogs complaints would fall to the RCMP.

Complaints about barking dogs and dogs-at-large will be handled by city staff.

Elchuk said the city is working with Port Coquitlam to put out a joint request for proposal for animal control.

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