Stray dogs on death row in Kugluktuk may be saved

A group of stray dogs in Kugluktuk, Nunavut, were scheduled to be destroyed if their owners did not claim them by tonight, but luckily for the dogs, the NWT SPCA has come forward to help.

The hamlet rounded up all the stray dogs in the community on Aug. 23 after residents raised safety concerns about a pack of large dogs roaming freely.

On Wednesday, the hamlet issued seven public notices on Facebook, along with pictures of the dogs, warning that "If the animal is not claimed by its owner, registered, and impound fee paid by 5:00 p.m. Thursday August 25, 2016, it will be destroyed."

"It may come down to that," said Donald LeBlanc, the senior administration officer in Kugluktuk.

"If the dogs are captured and there is no home for them, [or] if the SPCA can't take them.

"But I want people to understand that the community is a wonderful place to live, a safe place to live, and to keep it that way, we have to do things sometimes that we do not enjoy," he said.

Stray dogs are a common issue in many northern communities, and it's not uncommon for municipal enforcement to destroy the animals, particularly if there are safety concerns.

Foster homes for 3 out of 11

LeBlanc said there are currently 11 dogs at the local pound. The NWT SPCA has found foster homes for three of them, and is working to find homes for the rest.

He said the hamlet will hold off on destroying the remaining dogs until it has further discussions with the SPCA, but he added that they will not send any sick dogs out of the community.

"Their concern is rabies," said Nicole Spencer, president of the NWT SPCA.

Spencer said last year a resident of Kugluktuk took a dog from the community to another province and it turned out to have the rabies virus. 

"It caused a lot of problems," said Spencer.

"However, if they have dogs in their care that seem healthy, and not showing any signs, they can send them to us, and we can put them in isolation."

But Spencer said the SPCA needs more time to make room for the dogs. The Yellowknife animal shelter is currently full.

"It would be great if the hamlet could hold on to the dogs longer than two or three days... knowing we will get them out."

According to the hamlet's bylaws, "An owner who is notified that his or her dog has been captured and impounded by an officer, shall recover the dog within one working day."

"In the event that a dog is not recovered by its owner as prescribed... the officer may destroy the dog."

Spencer is hoping to find temporary homes in Kugluktuk for the remaining dogs.