Sudbury councillors to vote on shaking up animal control services

Sudbury city councillors will decide on Tuesday whether animal control bylaw enforcement should be brought in-house.

The decision comes after a U.S. consulting firm advised moving forward with the change. Currently, this service is run by Rainbow District Animal Control and Shelter Services. 

Richard Paquette is the manager of the shelter, and said council could force him to fire six animal control officers to be replaced with city employees.

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"If they want to maintain the current level of services, it's going to cost them," Paquette said.

If that number is cut in half, the manager noted public safety could be at risk. 

"There's no way they can handle that case load and still be doing things like proactively patrolling parks," he explained.

"Without those six other animal control officers able to help support that operation. I'm not sure that those costs would be that much different from what they are now."

Instead, Paquette said he wants to see a new animal control bylaw on the table.

The manager added that he would be interested in putting in another bid for the pound if the city takes it over.

'Look at the community needs'

Jill Pessot, with the Sudbury rescue group Pet Save, told CBC News it's time to change things up. 

"You know, the money that our city is paying out, we — nunmber one — expect to see results and not see the city streets littered. Number two, we expect to see standards of care, and there needs to be in writing a standard of care [for animals] that we have in this city," she said.

"I think it's time we look at the community needs and say OK, this is what we need, what is it going to cost and how do we deliver the service efficiently and effectively with humane treatment."

Councillors will also vote on a measure that could see a formal policy adopted on euthanasia to ensure most animals aren't put down. Paquette said his service already tries to do that. 

"If they're not happy with the results, then they should be looking at the crazy idea of bringing it in-house."