THUNDER BAY — The city is looking for feedback from local animal welfare advocates on the animal services it provides.
The city announced Monday that it is requesting feedback from key stakeholders, with consultation beginning immediately. “This includes direct communication with groups involved in animal rescue and animal shelters, to determine their priorities and needs when it comes to animal services in Thunder Bay.
Changes were made "to improve services related to domestic animals" back in 2022, according to a news release. Municipal enforcement services (MES), which is now responsible for animal control, is clarifying its role in handling domestic animals in the city.
That role includes “managing dangerous dogs, picking up stray dogs, investigating dig bites, and handling injured or deceased animals on city property.”
“Municipal enforcement officers are trained to handle by-law issues and catch stray animals. They bring lost dogs to the city pound and try to locate their owners."
The release states that city administration is working on developing a plan to review the broader animal services system in the community.
On Nov. 18, City Manager John Collin brought up the concerns at city council and his plan to initiate an external review of its animal welfare services after receiving many complaints.
The city will work toward that independent third-party review animal services staring in the coming months, the release said.
Meanwhile, Valerie Mackett of New Hope Dog Rescue started a Change.org petition demanding "better animal welfare in Thunder Bay." The petition was created on Nov. 17 and had garnered 1,780 signatures as of Monday afternoon.
