Emotions were running high at a packed special meeting of Quispamsis council on the controversial issue of animal control in the town, which was called by mayor Murray Driscoll at the request of the councillors.
Resident Jennifer Lennox was one of the people who addressed town council. Her 14-pound miniature schnauzer Tucker was ultimately put down and she told council that happened because of the wording of the town’s bylaw. According to Lennox there were two incidents that happened with people coming into her property who were scratched. She says Tucker was by no means fierce and dangerous or aggresive.
“We can’t do anything about what happened to Tucker now, but if we can change it so that our two other dogs don’t live in that fear, or if it prevents somebody else from going through what we did then it’s all worth it,” Lennox told us.
Resident Robert Hunt, who was a military working dog handler and trainer, also addressed council. He tells us the bylaw treats minor injuries as an attack and doesn’t distinguish between a defensive bite and a truly aggressive dog. He says they’re not out to get rid of the bylaw or make people walking on public streets less safe,
“We’re trying to find some balance and as councillor Rioux put it, improve the bylaw so that it doesn’t just represent the interests of the town it also represents the interests of pet owners,” says Hunt.
One person, Evelyn Magee of Quispamsis, spoke out in favour of the bylaw saying that she believes it’s okay as is. She told council of noticing dogs who are at large and of being pursued. She says she wants to be safe walking the streets.
The town of Quispamsis has its own animal control officer which uses the services of the Greater Moncton SPCA, which is a kill shelter. Under the bylaw once the animal is surrendered to the shelter, that animal become the property of the shelter.
Council voted unanimously in favour of a motion from the mayor that the issue of animal control be referred to staff for review and to report back to the new council after the swearing in. With an election on the horizon, Mayor Murray Driscoll pointed out that the bylaw is unable to be touched at this time and said that this would allow for the bridging of the gap between now and then.
