BC SPCA raises concerns regarding Dawson Creek contract termination

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty (BC SPCA) is calling for the reversal of a decision to end municipal animal control services in Dawson Creek.

On May 27th, the City of Dawson Creek announced it would be ending its agreement with the BCSPCA for municipal animal control services on December 1st. 

In a press release on May 29th, the BC SPCA said the decision leaves a “significant gap” in animal welfare services in the community, including the care of stray animals, the response to aggressive dogs, animal control functions which fall under the municipality’s responsibility and the city’s animal responsibility bylaw. 

“We are very surprised and disappointed the City of Dawson Creek would make a decision that could leave so many gaps in the animal services available to their community members,” said Emma Hamill, the BC SPCA Regional Manager of Sheltering in Cariboo/North.

“Stray animals will be at risk without care or housing, and there are obvious safety concerns around dangerous dogs running at large,” she said. “Residents will have nowhere to turn for help with barking dogs and other bylaw issues in the community.” 

Hamill said the decision could place additional demands and responsibilities on local RCMP detachments.

“We strongly urge the municipality to reconsider and uphold their responsibility to provide these animal services,” said Hamill. 

Animal protection investigations will remain a priority for the BC SPCA, according to Hamill. 

The organization will continue community-based programs such as sheltering, pet adoptions, pet food banks and emergency responses, with as low an impact as possible, the release said.

“However, we want to make it very clear that we do not have the financial or staffing resources to keep doing municipal animal control work without a service agreement in place and will have to adjust our levels of service to reflect this new reality,” Hamill said.

According to the release, the BC SPCA animal control officers were dispatched to 520 animal control calls in Dawson Creek through the municipal services agreement. 

The release also said 336 animals were brought into care. 295 of the 520 service calls made were for animals at large, while 115 calls were for noise or other bylaw complaints. 

The remaining calls ranged from license checks to dog bites.

“One of the biggest disappointments was the manner with which and how quickly this information was made public,” Hamill said. 

“We were given very little advanced notice about this decision, which meant our staff were hearing about the termination of this contract in the media instead of from their leadership,” she said. 

All questions or concerns should be directed to the City of Dawson Creek at 250-784-3600,  Hamill said. 

In a press release issued by the city on May 27th, Dawson Creek Mayor Darcy Dober defended the decision.

“We recognize that animal control services matter to many people in our community, and this was a very difficult decision,” Dober said. “Council had to carefully balance community expectations with long-term financial responsibility.

“While this decision changes the city’s role in municipal animal control services, our focus remains on ensuring residents have clear information and understand where to go for support,” he said. 

Animal control services through the BC SPCA will continue to operate until November 30th.