City’s Animal Control Centre policy of euthanizing animals under fire from residents

A group of concerned residents are meeting with Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland on Tuesday morning to address issues with the city’s Animal Control Centre policies, after two local women said an animal was euthanized unnecessarily, particularly after being told it wouldn’t be. 

This has become a hot topic in the area since Kristy Janzen and Melissa Chipman’s original post on the Cold Lake Rant & Rave on March 31, which detailed their experience with an animal they brought into the Control Centre. 

They say the City’s euthanasic policy was not told to them, and after checking in with the status and health of the dog they named “Precious” on a weekly basis, to their shock, the animal was eventually killed.

“After pointedly asking the hard question about whether they ever euthanize animals, we were assured on two different occasions that this does not occur in Cold Lake, and that she would go up for adoption at the Humane Society in due time,” the original post read. 

“Today [March 31], to our utter shock and disbelief, when we phoned for an update on how Precious was doing and when she might be transferred to the Humane Society, we were told she had been euthanized. In horror, we listened to an Animal Control employee explain to us that Cold Lake City Council has recently initiated a 30-day rule with regards to animals brought in to Cold Lake Animal Control. If the dog is not picked up by its family, or placed in a Humane Society locally or in the extended region, the animal is euthanized after the 30-day period.”

Original Post

Original complaint

These two women received a response from councillor Ryan Bailey, who brought up the question of the policy during last Tuesday’s council meeting. 

That response was not sufficient in their eyes.

They understand the issues of overcrowding, disease, and behaviour issues that may lead to, “euthanizing at some point in certain circumstances,” but still have questions. This was outlined in a followup to what was said in council. 

“Again, and I need to press home this point, we were ASSURED [sic] on MULTIPLE occasions that euthanizing NEVER happens in Cold Lake and would NEVER be a concern in Precious’ future,” their reply to Bailey said. 

“There are two statements in there that are untrue, and these are the statements that lead the public to feel safe, and like we are doing the right thing, in bringing an animal to CLAC… like we did.” 

This was forwarded to Mayor Craig Copeland, who has scheduled a meeting on Tuesday to discuss this further. 

‘Last thing anyone wants to do’

Last week, Lakeland Connect asked Copeland about the policy on The Morning After, where he confirmed that the City’s policy is to euthanize the animal if they can’t find a home after 30 days. 

For changes to happen, the facility would have to change its layout to allow for more exercise room.

“In these cases, with these animals that were put down, they were with us for over 100 days. And so there comes to a point where, how long do you hold on to the animals? If residents really want us to change, then we’re probably going to have to put some capital dollars in that facility to change its mandate so that we won’t put down animals,” said Copeland. 

“But this all costs money, and so people can see in our budget, already what the intake facility is costing and if people are asking Council not to euthanize an animal, then we have to revisit the building.

“It’s the last thing that anybody wants to do. The staff for sure, I mean, they work with these animals every day, so it breaks their heart. We did get some people inquiring, not happy with this, but it’s a hard decision to make, and nobody took it lightly.” 

(Animal Control Centre discussion at 14:00)

Advertising

One of the points that Janzen raises is whether these animals are thoroughly advertised to be adopted.

Janzen said they were told there are seven rescue organizations that are asked whether they have space to take these pets, and many are advertised through the Lakeland Humane Society.

However, she says she’s found instances of two animal rescue shelters within an hour’s drive that were unaware of the Cold Lake Animal Control Centre and what they were doing, and would take animals.

Janzen and Chipman wanted proof that ‘Precious’ had actually been advertised, but further, would’ve rescued the dog themselves if they’d known euthanasia was a possibility.

“We recognize the fact that it is too late for Precious. We also recognize that there is no one person to blame for this. We are not looking to blame, we are looking to change how we do things going forward, so this doesn’t happen to another dog.

“We are not looking for clarification on how the city runs CLAC, or the rules and regulations surrounding dogs in their care, we are looking to alter the way we deal with animals that come into the care of CLAC going forward,” Janzen and Chipman replied in the email.

Rising allegations

The original post went viral in the coming days and has nearly been shared 400 times on Facebook. 

Since then, one person in particular online has posted claiming the City euthanizes these animals in various, shocking ways. 

That led to a statement from the City, who called these allegations “baseless and damaging” in a firm response to rumours on Saturday.

“The City of Cold Lake will not allow its staff members to be libeled and will consider the legal options at its disposal should they be subjected to continued allegations that are without merit. The staff at the Animal Care and Control Centre care deeply about their work and the animals under their care and do not deserve to be subjected to the harmful and damaging statements being made.