Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Euthanizing Dogs
The committee was made aware of some specific instances of cruelty in the destruction or attempted destruction of dogs. Although euthanization by lethal injection performed by a veterinarian is not an option in most communities, other methods of destroying dogs that are quick and painless are available.
During the clause-by-clause review of the bill, the committee and Minister agreed to an amendment providing that “a person who destroys a dog shall do so in a manner that prevents undue suffering.”
Dogs Running at Large and Dogs in Harness
During the public review process, several people brought to the committee’s attention outdated provisions on owners’ duties to keep their dogs from running at large and restrictions applying to dogs in harness. The committee and Minister agreed to three amendments to address these concerns during the clause-by-clause review of the bill.
Proposed Section 5, which prohibits owners from allowing their dogs to run at large, taken with the current definition of “running at large” in the Dog Act, required owners to have their dogs either muzzled or under physical control at all times. While this is often a requirement of municipal bylaws for public safety reasons, many people argued that it was an unduly onerous standard to apply outside of communities. For example, the provisions would have meant that common practices such as hiking, skiing, hunting, trapping or fishing with dogs off leash in wilderness areas would be in violation of the law.
Two amendments were made to address this issue. The first adds a new definition of “immediate control,” which can include physical control of a dog with a leash or other device, but also includes control through voice commands or other signals. The second amendment changed proposed Section 5 so that “immediate control” is the standard required of dog owners when outside of communities.
Proposed paragraph 6(b) prohibited leaving a dog in harness outside of a municipality except in cases where the dog was muzzled or under the care of someone at least 16 years old. Objections to this provision were that muzzling sled dogs is itself a cruel practice and that dog teams are often capably handled by mushers younger than 16. The amendment to this provision removes the reference to muzzling and the age requirement, and requires instead that dogs in these circumstances be under “the immediate control of a person capable of ensuring that the dog will not harm the public or create a nuisance.”
Other Amendments
Bill 16 provided for maximum fines of $5,000 for a first offence and $10,000 for a second offence. Although many people expressed support for these maximums, some raised concerns that they might be too onerous given the economic conditions in many NWT communities, especially for a first offence. During the clause-by-clause review, the committee and Minister agreed to an amendment that decreases the maximum fine for a first offence to $2,500.
Proposed Section 8.3 also required that a dog taken into custody by an officer be kept for three days before any steps were taken to sell, give away or destroy the dog. Some people were concerned that this process might happen too quickly for an owner to be located and notified, and/or to respond in time. During the clause-by-clause review, the committee and Minister agreed to an amendment to extend the minimum time for keeping a dog in custody to five days. It should be noted that as stated in proposed Section 8.6, municipal bylaws on impounding, selling or destroying dogs that are taken into custody prevail over this act. Therefore, if
a municipal bylaw sets a shorter or longer period for holding a dog in custody before taking further steps, that is the number of days that will apply when a dog is seized under the authority of that bylaw.
In addition to the amendments described above, two amendments of a minor and technical nature were agreed to by the committee and the Minister during the clause-by-clause review.
Other Issues
Although this bill will be an important tool to prevent cruelty to dogs, it is not sufficient in itself. The committee heard that further action by the GNWT will be needed in order to achieve the intent of the legislation. The committee would like to highlight the following issues that were raised during the public review process.
Access to Veterinary Services
Many presentations and submissions called attention to the lack of access to veterinary services in most NWT communities. In particular, the absence of spay and neuter programs was identified as an underlying contributor to cruelty and abuse because it results in so many unwanted puppies. Several people spoke to the success of the mobile vet clinic in the Sahtu that takes place in partnership with the University of Calgary. The committee believes that there are opportunities for similar programs to be established in other regions with minimal or no requirement for GNWT funding.
Recommendation 1
The committee recommends that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs initiate discussions with stakeholders and veterinary colleges to explore options for expanding access to veterinary services, and in particular spay and neuter programs, throughout the NWT, and where necessary, facilitate the implementation of such options.
Assistance to Community Governments
Committee members were concerned that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs had not consulted with community governments prior to the introduction of Bill 16 about whether they will have the resources to implement it. For example, communities may not currently have adequate shelters to meet their obligations for dogs taken into custody under the act. Bylaw and dog officers may require training on the new requirements.
Recommendation 2
The committee recommends that the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs consult with community governments prior to the coming into force of the act to ensure they have adequate resources, including staff training, to implement the act.
Mr. Speaker, I will now pass the floor back to my colleague Mr. Ramsay. Thank you.