The Citizen, 2009-01-29, Page 3THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009. PAGE 3. North Huron’s changes to itsanimal control bylaw regardingkennels continues to cause debate. Eric Hopf attended the Jan. 19
council meeting to express his
concerns. Hopf, who owns dogs that
he uses to hunt coyotes would be
limited to four dogs, or would need
to meet the guidelines for a kennel.
Council made the changes to
address issues of animal care and
comfort in accordance with
government-approved codes of
practice. However, while these state
that anyone owning more than four
dogs must kennel them, Hopf
maintains that his dogs are well
looked after and have more room to
run tied with a 20-foot chain.
“Working dogs should be exempt
from this. What I’m doing helps the
township, as these coyotes are harm-
ing livestock. You let them get thick
enough it could be children they
hurt.”
Hopf presented council with a
petition signed by residents who
have had a problem with coyotes andsee the need of the service heprovides.“People don’t realize the townshippays if livestock is lost. Once theyknow, there will be more complaints.”Owning less than four dogs limits
him, he said. “It take three to four
years to train a dog. I don’t like to
run with less than three because the
coyote can turn and kill my dog.
They need a chance to rest, so
ideally I should have at least six
dogs.”
While Hopf said there are two or
three groups he hunts with, he is the
only one in North Huron.
Neighbouring municipalities, he
said, don’t have the restrictions that
North Huron has.
Councillor Archie MacGowan
explained that council had made the
change after the animal control
officer “took issue with some
standards at certain kennels.”
“I know why you’re doing it, but I
don’t like the idea of guys who look
after their dogs suffering because of
the rest.”
Clerk-administrator Kriss Snell
told councillors that hunting andworking dogs had been excluded inthe bylaw before. Councillor Alma Conn added thatBill 50, amending the OntarioSociety for the Prevention of Crueltyto Animals Act has put pressure on
the township as well. “Should there
be an issue, North Huron could be in
trouble too,” she said. “The problem
isn’t going to be with you. It’s going
to be with the next guy who says he
has a working dog.”
Hopf noted too that he does not
breed the animals. “I’m not raising
dogs to sell. I’m raising them to hunt
coyotes.”
“I’ve only made it through half the
township with this petition and I
didn’t have one person say no to
signing it,” he added.
Councillor Greg McClinchey
pointed out, however, that what the
residents were signing and the issue
of the bylaw were separate. “No one
here needs a petition to tell them
coyotes are bad. It’s the condition in
which the animals are kept that’s the
issue we’re concerned with.”
In making a change that would
work for Hopf, McClinchey notedthat some things are beyondcouncil’s control, such as Bill 50. “We know where you’re comingfrom and you know where we’recoming from. How do we square thecircle? This is something that’s
going to take some thought.”
The biggest puzzle for council to
consider, he said, will be how to
accommodate people like Hopf,
while still providing the animal
control officer with the tools to
handle problems. “He can’t just say
he doesn’t like what they’re doing,”
said McClinchey.
“We’ve adopted the industry
standards. If there’s a better way
let’s debate that.”
Sympathy is extended to Helen
Hummel and family on the sudden
death of her husband Henry.
Congratulations to Les and
Heather Phillips of Goderich on the
birth of their daughter of Sunday,
Jan. 18. This is the first
granddaughter for Emily and Ernie
Phillips of Blyth.
Happy birthday to Gerald Kerr
and Mary Rouw who celebrated Jan.
24.
Happy birthday to Fred Hakkers
who celebrates Jan. 27 and to Doug
Howson who celebrates Jan. 31.
BLYTH UNITED CHURCH
Greeting at Blyth United Church
on Sunday, Jan. 25 were Joan Clark
and Terry Richmond. Ushering were
Nancy Hakkers, Lavern Clark and
Terry Richmond. Nancy Park was
organist.
The annual meeting is on Feb. 15
after church.
Rev. Gary Clark welcomed
everyone to church. The choir sang
the Introit, God is Waiting in the
Silence. The prayer of approach was
followed by the first hymn, Seek Ye
First the Kingdom of God. The
scripture was from Matthew 7: 7-14.
Rev. Clark and the children went
to the back of the church and
knocked until some of the
congregation said to come in. He
asked the children if they knew how
to talk to God. Some said by
praying. He explained to them that
praying to God is like knocking at
the door.
Brendan Abel carried the candle
down to Sunday school for their
time of worship. The second
scripture lesson was Acts 13: 1-12.
Rev. Clark’s message to the adults
was Knocking at the door. He
reminded how Paul had a
transformation and became a
follower of Jesus. He explained how
the early church was formed by
people acting on their faith. Today
parents have narrowed the road that
their children take.
The hymn, What a Friend We
Have in Jesus was sung.
The last hymn, I Danced in the
Morning, was followed by the
commissioning and benediction and
the singing of The Three-Fold
Amen.
Debate rages over animal control bylaw
Township of North Huron
Council & Committee
Meeting Schedule
February 2 Regular Council Meeting
7:30 p.m. - Council Chambers
February 5 Blyth District Fire Board
7:00 p.m. - Blyth Fire Hall
February 9 Committee of the Whole
7:00 p.m. - Council Chambers
February 10 North Huron Police Services Board
7:00 p.m. - Police Board Room
February 10 Belgrave Community Centre Board
7:00 p.m. - Belgrave Community Centre
February 11 Blyth Arena Advisory Committee
7:00 p.m. - Blyth Arena
February 11 Wingham Area Fire Board
7:00 p.m. - Wingham Fire Hall
February 17 Regular Council Meeting
7:30 p.m. - Council Chambers
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From Marilyn’s Desk
Snowfest!
The Wawanosh Nature Centre’s annual Snowfest was a great success yet again, with plenty
of people showing up to take in the centre’s beautiful scenic trails from snowshoes or skiis.
Dallas Ruff-Robertson was one of the first to try his hand on the snow. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
By Bonnie GroppThe Citizen