Dealing with dangerous dogs takes bite out of Huron-Kinloss' finances

Huron-Kinloss has been hit with almost $17,000 in legal costs and boarding costs, dealing with dangerous dogs in the township.

A report was presented to council at its meeting last night (Feb. 17), stating that the township has experienced an unprecedented number of cases involving "dangerous dogs" throughout 2014-15. Two incidents led to prosecution as a result of the inability of owners to follow township orders and take reasonable care and precautions with their animals to protect the safety of residents and their pets.
Both matters were heard before the court Feb. 3.

In the first case, the dog was seized Jan. 13 due to an order for quarantine issued by the Grey Bruce Health Unit for a 10-day period. An interim order was sought by the township and the dog remained at the Ripley-Huron Vet Clinic from Jan. 13 to Feb. 6.

At court, due to an agreement arranged prior to trial and a joint submission between the dog owner and the township, the court ordered that the dog be euthanized, costs for boarding be borne by the township, and costs for the dog to be euthanized borne by the owner.
Legal costs to resolve this matter came to $3,007.71, while boarding fees for the seizure and destruction amounted to $983.95.

In the second case, the dog was seized by the township obtaining an interim order Dec. 30, 2014. This matter resulted in a lengthy trial with witnesses for both sides testifying. Although the township was again seeking destruction of the dog, the court ordered that the German Shepherd dog be released from the Ripley-Huron Vet Clinic to another owner, the German Shepherd is to be leashed and muzzled at all times when off the property of the new owner, the previous owner is not to have care and control of the dog when off the new owner's property, the previous owner pays restitution in the amount of $1,000.74 for veterinary bills incurred by the owner of the dog that the German Shepherd attacked, and the township is responsible for the costs incurred for boarding the German Shepherd at the Ripley-Huron Vet Clinic.

The report states that this was, ultimately, not the desired outcome with this dog. However, the township solicitor, the bylaw enforcement officer and the township's witnesses did an excellent job preparing and presenting the case. In the end it was up to the court to decide.

"This decision is definitely a more favourable arrangement to protect the safety of area residents and their pets, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely," states the report. "The new owner seems diligent and willing to co-operate. We have placed a further order on the new owner, stating that the dog must be muzzled before it leaves the house in an effort to prevent further incident."
The legal costs to resolve this matter came to $11,603.51, while the boarding costs amount to $1,245.83.

"These matters have been extremely time consuming for staff," the report states. "The bylaw enforcement department has done an excellent job of documenting, ticketing and following through in these matters and this resulted in the positive outcome in both cases. Although the legal costs are high, these actions were necessary due to the extreme nature of the injuries caused and the repeated aggressive behaviour by the dogs. There was also a great deal of pressure from the community to protect the public's safety pertaining to the dogs.

"Council was clear that public safety is first and foremost, and we will be taking a hard stance on dog control in Huron-Kinloss. If the public is not able, or prepared, to take reasonable precautions with its animals, the township is prepared to initiate court action to ensure our communities remain safe."

In addition, two other matters, pertaining to the township, were considered by the court Feb. 3:

• The OPP is proceeding with a charge under the Dog Owner's Liability Act in regards to the "chow" dog of concern in Lucknow. A trial date for this matter was set for April 7. The OPP is seeking destruction of this dog and it is anticipated that township staff will be called to testify to assist the case. The bylaw enforcement officer will be attending this trial and affected residents have been notified should they wish to be present.

 

• The court considered the township's Part Ill charge under the Provincial Offences Act, pertaining to a resident cutting trees along the Algonquin Bluff without a permit as required under the township's Tree Preservation Bylaw. The resident pled guilty and the court approved the joint submission for a fine set at $450 plus victim surcharges.