LCHS to provide animal control services

Niagara-on-the-Lake residents who see a stray dog or need any kind of animal control service are now asked to call the Lincoln County Humane Society (LCHS).

Last fall the town put out a joint request for proposals to provide a full range of services, partnering with the town of Grimsby.

The contract went to the LCHS, beginning Jan. 1.

After 22 years having local resident Ken Reid provide canine control, the town decided a much wider range of services was required, and should be tendered according to its procurement process.

The new contract provides for all services requested, says town communications coordinator Mara Minor.

It includes animal control for all domestic animals, livestock, and wildlife; provisions for impoundment, quarantine, and humane services — the request for proposals called for euthanizing or otherwise disposing of animals which are found to be at large, injured, in immediate danger of injury or death, or pose a risk to the public.

It also involves patrolling of streets and parks while performing other calls. 

The LCHS will be expected to commence proceedings under the Provincial Offences Act and the newly implemented AMPS penalty system under the animal care and control and noise bylaw, with included fines for animal care and control bylaw infractions; a lost or found pet; off-leash or stray animals; injured animals; responding to dog bites or aggressive dog concerns; and reporting dead animals on public property.

The cost to the town, says Minor, will be about $37,700, with a one per cent increase each year up to 2025. The town will save about 42 per cent over what was spent in 2020 and about 38 per cent over what was spent in 2021.

“If animal care and control services beyond the contract’s scope of services are required, there may be additional fees, but these are not anticipated,” she adds.

Lord Mayor Betty Disero says the town had to follow its procurement process for animal control services, and will be saving money with the new contract for a much broader range of services. “However there was a yearly hometown feeling when Mr. Reid was with us, and that will be lost. He served the community for many years, but we need so many additional services. People liked him, and trusted him. I wish there was something he had done to team up with the Lincoln County team. That would have been great,” said Disero.

“We’ll have to see how it goes in 2022.”

Residents can call the Lincoln County Humane Society at 905-682-0767 or 1-800-263-2469 (after hours, press one for emergencies). 

These numbers are available 24 hours a day. Residents can also email [email protected].