'It's absolutely terrifying': Sask. small town struggling with fear of stray dogs
The mayor of Allan is voicing frustrations over a group of aggressive dogs, saying they've become a threat to community safety.
Mayor Bonnie Lewis says instead of enjoying the last few days of summer, a string of dog attacks is causing residents to stay inside and stay alert.
“They're living in fear, they don't want to do this for fear that they're going to run into these dogs again,” Lewis said.
She says there have been multiple dog attacks on adults, children, and other animals for months. The dogs travel in a group and all belong to the same owner, Lewis says.
One resident CTV News spoke with said her dogs have been attacked twice.
“I walk my dogs every day, and it's absolutely terrifying to take them out. You’re always on watch. I’ve carried sticks with me before,” Holly Hanson said.
The RCMP says it’s received six reports concerning a group of dogs in the town since April, but says no bites have been reported. RCMP says in consultation with Crown prosecutors, it has determined the incidents are bylaw-related, not criminal.
However, the town’s bylaw committee chairperson says bylaws can be difficult to enforce.
“In this case, what we've discovered is that it doesn't matter how good your bylaws are in a community, we do not, as a small community, have representation in a bylaw court,” Gloria Stefanson said.
The Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) says it’s been pushing for a new bylaw model to help municipalities come together and address bylaw infractions.
“Unfortunately, in recent years, the provincial courthouses have been overly busy, and bylaw infraction and adjudication of those have kind of dropped off the priority list,” SUMA CEO Jean-Marc Nadeau said.
“As a result of that, municipalities are in a position where even though they might be able to enforce their bylaws, if somebody disputes it, there's no way to adjudicate it.”
SUMA says Kindersley implemented a similar system a few years ago.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre says there are ongoing discussions about a new bylaw model.
“It is a priority and those discussions are happening really as we speak. I mean, this was something that we talked about just this past week, and it's very much a priority for me,” Eyre said.
Meanwhile Mayor Lewis is hoping communities facing similar issues will reach out to the Town of Allan to collaborate and help push for change.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Health data collected from Indigenous Peoples in Canada has a dark history. One Indigenous company is turning that around
Software company Mustimuhw Information, which develops medical records systems built on a foundation of Indigenous traditions and values, is allowing health providers to capture data informed by cultural practices.
Hezbollah handed out pagers hours before blasts, even after checks: Reuters
Lebanon's Hezbollah was still handing its members new Gold Apollo branded pagers hours before thousands blew up this week, two security sources said, indicating the group was confident the devices were safe despite an ongoing sweep of electronic kit to identify threats.
Cognitive decline reduced by MIND diet, especially for women and Black people, study finds
Following the MIND diet for 10 years produced a small but significant decrease in the risk of developing thinking, concentration and memory problems, a new study found.
'It's disgusting': Quebec minister reacts after body of boy, 14, found near Hells Angels hideout
The province's public security minister said he was "shocked" Thursday amid reports that a body believed to be that of a 14-year-old boy was found this week near a Hells Angels hideout near Quebec City.
Ontario man to pay $1,500 surcharge after insurer says his SUV is at higher risk of theft
An Ontario man says it is 'unfair' to pay a $1,500 insurance surcharge because his four-year-old SUV is at a higher risk of being stolen.
Federal firearm buyback program has cost $67M, still not collecting guns after 4 years
The federal firearm buyback program has cost taxpayers nearly $67.2 million since it was announced in 2020, but it still hasn't collected a single gun.
No, these viral purple apples don't exist in Saskatchewan
If something looks too good to be true, it might be. That's the message from Saskatchewan horticulturists after customers have come into their stores hoping to buy purple apple trees this month.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including machine-guns
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has lost 205 firearms since 2020, including more than 120 handguns and at least five fully automatic weapons like machine-guns.
Influencer couple denies leaving kids alone on cruise
For most people, dinner on a cruise ship is a time to relax. But when influencer couple Abby and Matt Howard decided to kick back with a dinner à deux, they ended up kicking up a storm.