Englehart council discusses pet ownership issues

Darlene Wroe

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

ENGLEHART - Englehart council and staff discussed a strategy to address what is becoming a pet ownership issue in the town at their recent committee-of-the-whole meeting.

The April 10 discussion started off with a strategy to encourage people to stoop and scoop their pet waste. An initial proposal was to provide dispensers downtown so that people could take one and remove their pet's waste.

But that suggestion was not favoured because, it was pointed out, in most cases those who would pick up their pet waste already do so. It would also create additional work for the public works staff to replace the receptacles, it was noted.

Mayor Doug Metson remarked on how much dog waste is visible in the downtown area.

“It's unbelievable,” he said.

In response, Councillor Jo-Anne Farmer proposed that perhaps the town should set up cameras in order to see who the people are who are leaving their dog waste on the sidewalks.

But she also favoured a campaign to encourage people to pick up their pet waste.

However, community services coordinator Johanna Paradis pointed out that there is a greater problem in the town when it comes to pet ownership.

“We probably need to do a little better job with our animal control.”

“I think there are a lot of animal issues in general,” she said.

“A campaign is a great idea,” but possibly should go beyond cleaning up after pets, she continued.

“Maybe it's a bigger campaign like responsible pet ownership.”

Councillor Brian Bockus observed that Englehart should look at having its animal control officer in town more often.

Darlene Wroe, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Temiskaming Speaker