Roseau River dog cull highlights pressing spay/neuter need: advocates

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This article was published 07/02/2024 (617 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

While the province says it is working towards implementing an election promise to expand mobile rural spay and neuter clinics, it comes too late for stray dogs at Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation.

Last month, a notice signed by two of four band councillors (but not Chief Gary Roberts) was distributed to residents, saying a local member had been authorized to “deal with stray dogs in the community, effective immediately… We give (the person) authorization to use any force necessary, including the use of lethal force, to deal with this increasingly dangerous issue in the community.”

The notice said all community members had been notified to leash their pet dogs, so they wouldn’t be included in the cull.

Despite repeated calls, the chief and band council at the First Nation located less than 100 kilometres south of Winnipeg did not respond for comment.

A spokesperson for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said its grand chief would not be commenting on the issue.

One member of a Manitoba dog rescue organization, who didn’t want to be named, said they had heard the cull occurred Jan. 22.

Elsewhere, Leah Arcand — founder of Save Rez Dogs, a Saskatchewan-based Indigenous organization which uses advocacy, education and fundraising to encourage communities to help dogs and dog owners so it doesn’t get to the point where a cull is needed — was saddened to hear the news.

“When we ignore the solutions, the problem gets bigger and bigger,” Arcand said. “Dogs are just not seen as a priority.

“Manitoba is not the only province which does culls. It happens all over Canada. There needs to be education and a lot more awareness about what is happening,” she said Wednesday.

“Community members need support in all aspects of their life, including pet ownership. And there needs to be a department specifically for animals at the band office level.”

Asked for comment on the issue, Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn said: “As promised in the campaign, our (NDP) government is committed to expanding mobile spay and neuter services and we will work with the (Winnipeg) Humane Society and communities to invest in these important programs… We know that solutions created at the community level, based on local experience and needs, will help build long-term sustainability.”

WHS chief executive officer Jessica Miller said while the organization was thrilled by the promise to dedicate funding for a mobile spay/neuter clinic, as well as a recent video message by Premier Wab Kinew encouraging people about the importance of spaying and neutering their pets, it is still waiting for an official announcement.

“Since the video, Manitoba has endured another cull in a community, while other communities feel they will be in the same position having already endured traumatic complaints of individual dog shoots (and) freezing animals,” Miller said.

“Together, with more funding and effort in this area, I know we can provide reach and access to these vital services. The time to make good on that election promise is now — the people and animals in the community deserve this.”

While the humane society opposes dog culls, it recognizes danger posed by large groups of roving canines, Miller said. Among its dog population management methods is its own mobile spay/neuter clinic: the One Health Program.

In 2023, the program examined 1,737 animals in 23 northern, remote and Indigenous communities, with 1,198 spay, neuter and implants performed.

“I wish we could do more,” Miller said. “We became aware of the dog culling, but not before it happened. Hopefully, we can help Roseau River in future.

“We’ve asked for a meeting with the premier to see how we can help execute their election promise. We have the expertise and we know how to do this. If I could replicate Our Health team five or 10 times, I know we could do this.”

A spokesman for the Opposition Progressive Conservatives said in a statement: “As with most of the NDP’s promises, Manitobans are still waiting for action. So far, they’ve only seen cuts to schools, daycares, care homes and surgeries while waiting for any plan from this government.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca