----- Original Message -----
From: Tremblay, Chantale
To: animaladvocates@telus.net
Cc: Thompson, Lisa ; Crane, Ian
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 10:11 AM
Subject: RE: The City of Chilliwack's ruthless dog-catching contract ought to make the City cringe in shame

Thank you for taking the time to write to us regarding animal control.

The City of Chilliwack Animal Control operates as an animal shelter and licensing facility as legislated to us through the Community Charter and is carried out through our Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw. It is not our mandate to manage the facility as a rescue society.

That said, we do feel that it is important to emphasize that the City has worked and developed a valuable standing with several rescue societies throughout BC. Most importantly, the City wishes to continue working with these groups as they have been most beneficial to us in, among other things, placing dogs with responsible dog owners.

The management of our Animal Control facility is contracted with the BC Corps of Commissionaires. They are responsible for enforcing the City’s Animal Control and Licensing Bylaw which includes (but not limited to) the licensing of dogs, providing for the seizure of animals that are unlicenced, dealing with dogs that are unlawfully at large, dangerous dogs and when required, obtaining search and seizure warrants or destruction orders from the Provincial Courts for some dogs that have been deemed dangerous. Essentially, the purpose of the services is to provide for the control of animals and the protection of people within our community.

We are committed to continue working with groups where the mandate is to rescue animals. We were in the process of putting a greater emphasis on evaluating potential ‘adopters’ when due to a personality conflict the alleged crisis occurred. The fact of the matter is that during the tenure of the Commissionaires, the annual number of dogs destroyed has decreased by over 60 percent.

In regards to recent staffing changes, this is a personnel matter, which we will not discuss.

The City of Chilliwack is committed to working with groups that offer constructive solutions to these issues. Staff has been subject to several derogatory e-mails that frankly will not lead to creative solutions.

Sincerely,
Clint Hames
Mayor