M’CHIGEENG—To make sure community members, and animals, are protected on the M’Chigeeng First Nation, chief and band council has updated a new animal control policy in the community and has contracted Rainbow District Animal Services (RDAS) and bylaw enforcement to provide animal control services on the First Nation, specifically to dogs running loose in the community.
There is an updated animal control bylaw in place, said Art Jacko, M’Chigeeng band manager. “There have been a number of incidents regarding dogs in the community for many years,” he told The Expositor. “And the community has wanted a new animal control bylaw in place.”
The previous animal control bylaw had been established by the band council in 1999 and it needed to be upgraded, said Mr. Debassige. With the new bylaw passed by band council, “RDAS was hired to help administer the new animal control bylaw.”
However, Mr. Jacko explained, “this new bylaw had been planned and in the works before we had a dog biting incident in the community (in which one dog bit another dog which perished as a result of the incident). “This incident only moved along passing of the bylaw quicker. Now we have the RDAS agency in place to help make the community safe for everyone.”
“The dog problem (running loose) is not unique to M’Chigeeng First Nation, other First Nations and municipalities have the same problems,” continued Mr. Jacko. “Our focus is on M’Chigeeng, our community, and making it safer for everyone and (along with enforcement) we want to work toward working with and providing better education for dog owners. The whole idea of all of this is to keep members of the community safe.”
In a notice to community members earlier this month, Ogimaa-kwe Linda Debassige and band council drafted a notice to community members. “Please be advised that M’Chigeeng First Nation has contracted RDAS and bylaw enforcement to provide animal control services on the First Nation.”
“Stray or nuisance doges may be reported directly to RDAS and bylaw enforcement by calling 1-800-836-6661 and they will respond to complaints as appropriate,” the notice reads. “Starting immediately, they will enforce bylaw 01-2023 by conducting patrols and responding to complaints of dogs running at large. The Band bylaw allows them to capture and impound any dogs they find at large and not under the control of their owners.”
“If your animal is impounded you may be required to pay an impound fee of $50 and acquire a dog licence before your dog is released. In the event the animal control officer can not locate the dog’s owners the dog will be transported to their facility in Azilda. Additional fees of $30 per day the dog is in the shelter may also be assessed. Dogs not claimed after three days (not including statutory holidays) may be rehomed or disposed of by the shelter,” the notice continues.
It was further explained, “All dogs on the First Nation require an annual licence. Acquiring and affixing the licence (dog tag) to your dog will assist the animal control officer in returning your dog to you in the event it is impounded and may prevent you from having to retrieve it at the shelter in Azilda. Reclaiming a dog is the owner’s responsibility, additional fees may be assessed in the event you require the dog to be delivered back to you including any boarding fees that may accrue before your dog is returned on their next visit to the community.”
“Lost dogs should be reported to RDAS as soon as possible by calling the shelter or reporting the dog lost on their website,” the notice continues. “Licences are $20 and $10 for seniors. They may be acquired by visiting the band office or by calling Rainbow District Animal Services, or visiting www.rdshelter.ca.”
