Sudbury animal control up for debate, including euthanasia

Many things about animal control in Greater Sudbury, including how dogs and cats are put down, could soon change.

The city is reviewing its services leading up to the awarding of a new animal control contract at the end of March.

Greater Sudbury bylaw manager Darlene Barker said recent protests about the lack of city-specific rules on euthanizing animals partly inspired the review.

The door is pretty much open, as long as we satisfy the minimum requirements in the legislation ...- Greater Sudbury bylaw manager Darlene Barker

Currently the animal control contract does not lay out how dogs and cats at the pound can be put down.

"We rely on the methods approved in the provincial legislation,” Barker said.

Sudbury dog owner Sandra Lahti said she worries that, without specific rules, animals at the city pound may not be euthanized humanely.

"I don't know that we are governing that right now,” she said. “It appears to be an open book in terms of the types of drugs and who's administering them."

A report on animal control services is expected before Sudbury city council before the end of March, and the city is open to changing pretty much anything about the way it controls animals in the city, Barker said.

Staff members are reviewing everything from dog licences to how the animal shelter is run, leading up to the awarding of a new animal control contract at the end of March.

Barker noted the city could even decide to not hire a contractor and instead create a new department at city hall.

"The door is pretty much open, as long as we satisfy the minimum requirements in the legislation, and council would decide then if that's the services we want to provide."

A public consultation session was held at Tom Davies Square Wednesday night.

Comments and suggestions on animal control are still being taken on the City of Greater Sudbury website.