Contained below are only just a few of the CJCD reports that one can fine online. Many more reports and published articles may be found on sites such as : Northern News Services which publish newspapers across the North, such as the Yellowknifer, Decho Drum, News North. Many links to various articles have been posted in this Blog’s Archives.
Here is a short review thus far. Please take the time to go to each link and read for yourself.
HAY RIVER, NT – HUB OF THE NORTH
Hay River creating by-law against animal abuse
March 24, 2010
In January 2010 Hay River Mayor Kelly Schofield was approached and a discussion within his office took place about strengthening Hay River By-Laws, as well as a proposal to put into effect a “Zero Tolerance Policy on Animal Cruelty” in place for Hay River. For all intent and purposes the Hay River resident presenting this policy was lead to believe that this was well received. Two follow up meetings, almost one year later, with a Hay River Councilman, not the Mayor, further discussed the issues in Hay River. As of this date the question remains as to just WHAT the Mayor’s office and Town Council have actually done to revisit and strengthen existing Hay River By Laws to ensure that animals are protected.
It must be noted that on February 4, 2011, Judge Malakoe set a precedent by throwing three charges brought against a Hay River resident who was allegedly in violation of current Hay River By Laws (Animal Control) out of court due to a technicality whereby the By Laws did not explicitly reference the consequence to the violation nor the penalty payable. Hub Publications covered this story which can be found on their website. “Animal control by-law lacks teeth, judge says” Hub Publications February 16, 2011.
Hub goes without by-law officer for over a year
September 14, 2010
HR’s new by-law officer taking gradual approach to enforcement
November 18, 2010
http://www.mix100.ca/news_and_sports/news/Local/10/11/18/New-bylaw-officer-starts-off-in-Hay-River
New bylaw officer starts off in Hay River
November 18, 2010
HAY RIVER HOARDING CASE: 109 DOGS INVOLVED: RAID ON PROPERTY MAY 29, 2010
Over 100 dogs found neglected in HR, woman charged
June 2, 2010
http://www.mix100.ca/news_and_sports/news/Local/10/06/4/Neglected-dogs-under-care-of-SPCA
Neglected dogs under care of SPCA
June 4, 2010
Lack of resources forced town to euthanize puppies — SPCA
September 8, 2010
What happened to the rest of the dogs? – animal welfare group on Hay River hoarding case
September 21, 2010
http://www.mix100.ca/news_and_sports/news/Local/10/12/3/HR-accused-dog-abuser-faces-more-charges
HR accused dog abuser faces more charges
December 3, 2010
http://www.mix100.ca/news_and_sports/news/Local/11/01/20/Woman-pleads-not-guilty-to-dog-neglect
Woman pleads not guilty to dog neglect
January 20, 2011
http://www.mix100.ca/news_and_sports/news/Local/11/03/4/Trial-date-set-in-animal-cruelty-case
Trial date set in animal cruelty case
March 4, 2011
As it now stands, 83 of the original dogs found on Hobson’s property remain there, as wards of the town and supposedly monitored by a Town employee. Logically it may be safe to believe that additional puppies have been born on that property since May 29, 2010. Question: What is the actual number of dogs now on that property??? Unfortunately while the Animal Alliance of Canada has already written two requests for information, they have yet to receive a response.
The additional question of just WHO the Mayor’s office has monitoring these dogs and this property remains a mystery. According to CJCD post of March 4, 2011 – “Town authorities have not told CJCD who’s monitoring the remaining dogs on Hobson’s property.”
Note that having been provided information straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, David Ryan the newly hired Hay River By Law Officer has, according to Mr. Ryan himself , never been to the property nor seen these animals that remain on the property. Apparently it is being handled by a “higher authority”.
As this writer has been told that Mr. Ryan tape records conversations, (and has admitted that he sometimes fails to tell the individuals) a record of this conversation has been made.
The fate of the remaining 83 dogs remains a mystery as well, already deemed to be ‘aggressive, vicious and unpredictable’ by Mayor Schofield in one other published media interview, these animals would be posing a threat to public safety moreso than those young puppies held at the shelter that Town Authorities chose to designate in the same category and which they destroyed. Which raises yet another question: Why were these 83 animals immediately not destroyed? Reports of a pack of 6 highly aggressive animals in and around that property have made to this writer; the animals on this property are outside and what happens should any break free of their chains or escape their cages and maul or kill a town resident, or family pet?
So again, just WHO is monitoring these animals? WHY is the new By Law Officer who is also to enforce the Hay River By Law on Animal Control, not monitoring these animals? Very interesting, is it not.
As for the puppies that were seized, removed and relocated to the Hay River Municipally owned shelter and cared for by volunteers for 2 1/2 months, medicated for worms, receiving proper nutrition, fresh water from May 29, 2010 to mid August 2010; an offer to assist in the relocation of these puppies to fully equipped southern facilities run by trained professional animal care and rehab specialists was made a number of times. However, no response came from the Mayor’s office, no attempts to socialize and rehab any of these rescued pups was made. The end result: puppies were removed from shelter and destroyed in mid August 2010 by order of Town officials who deemed them aggressive and unpredictable…they aged between 2 to 12 months old. This information was finally released to the public on August 31, 2010 by the Deputy Mayor, only due to the blast of Press Releases issued by Canadians for Animal Welfare Reform. Pictures of these pups were published by Northern News Services.
The Town of Hay River as been severely criticized by CFAWR, and once again as of this date, details as to just how these pups were killed remains a mystery. With no resident veterinarians in this town….one may use their own imagination as to how these pups lost their lives.
As for the remaining 83 dogs left on that property, Mayor Schofield is quoted as saying ” The dogs are still in her care. The Town will be making sure the dogs are taken care of”. Hub Publications June 9, 2010. In addition SPCA President Jennifer Larkin is quoted “We did receive complaints (about this property) this time around, and we have received complaints in the past”. “But we are not an authority figure. We are an organization that cares for animals. We have to direct people to the RCMP.”
Given that previous Municipal authorities, as well as town residents had known of this situation being allowed to continue for over ten years, WHY was nothing ever done to correct the situation? Further it is rumored that the accused also applied to the Town for a new Kennel License!!!!
In one Editorial: the statement is made ” Ultimately , the blame for the animals deaths lies squarely on the shoulders of the person who was keeping them…” quote taken from published Editorial “Sad but not cruel” Northern News Service concerning the killing of the rescued pups.
Also see: Hub Publications Website: “Town finds itself under attack after destroying 23 dogs”; “Dog seizure a disgrace to community” (June 9, 2010); “Dogs seized following tip” (June 9, 2010);
“Puppy deaths unnecessary” Northern News: September 20, 2010.
MOST RECENT ANIMAL CRUELTY CASES
http://www.mix100.ca/news_and_sports/news/Local/11/01/29/Vehicle-break-in-leads-to-tragic-dog-death
Vehicle break-in leads to tragic dog death
January 29, 2011
Musician charged with killing dog banned from lounge
February 1, 2011
Musician accused of animal cruelty in jail pending next court date
February 3, 2011
Local musician pleads guilty to animal cruelty
March 2, 2011
BACKGROUND ON DOG KILLER:
Local musician sentenced to four months in jail
ELSEWHERE IN NT
http://www.mix100.ca/news_and_sports/news/Local/10/11/18/Behchoko-puppies-saved
Behchoko puppies saved
November 18, 2010
Mountie says animal cruelty in Whati ‘heart-wrenching’
December 9, 2010
NWT animal rights activist happy with charges against abuser
December 14, 2010
In summary it has not been a good year HERE for dogs in 2010. Just as it has never been a good year for dogs in the Northwest Territories for decades.
Excellent article! Thanx 4 all the great background info and keeping us updated on the terrible state of animals in the North! Can’t believe the majority of MP’s up there still haven’t seen the light?! They are the ones who hold the power to change all this and yet after all the facts, reports, numerous animal cruelty stories, etc took such short cuts! I sure hope that 1 day they can pull their heads out of their asses long enough to take a real stand against animal cruelty up there or hopefully our federal Govt will finally step up to the plate and help handle this BS with some laws that work! Well keep up the great work, thanx 4 all you do! Amazing how far you’ve gotten with raising awareness and educating the public, media and MP’s! It is good 2 see that some changes have finally been made! We got your back as you cont. the fight for some laws in place that will help stop all the neglect and abuse happening up there, traditional or not! x
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