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The Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-07-30, Page 66 Lucknow Sentinel • Wednesday, July 30, 2014 Huron -Kinloss Council July 21 Meeting Valerie Gillies Editor/Lucknow Sentinel Dog Bite Issue Escalates Heather Dundas spoke concerning the response from the Huron -Kinloss Council and from the public concern- ing the dog bite incident which happened in Ripley on June 16, 2014. Dundas stated that her family had attended the prior meeting in which the victim gave her statement to Council. The dog in ques- tion belongs to Dundas' son. Dundas indicated that they had not asked to speak and were just there to listen respectfully to what was said. However, when it was sug- gested that perhaps Council should give them a chance to speak since they were pre- sent, Councillor James Hanna was quick to say, "I am not remotely interested in any- thing that they have to say." Dundas went on to relate how improper the response had been toward her family in a formal meeting environment. She reprimanded Hanna for not treating people with respect. Further, Dundas related some of the abominable behavior that has been directed toward her family since the media reporting of the Council meeting. As only one side of the issue was pre- sented, the result was biased reporting which, at the Coun- cil level, has greater effect than out in the community. She pointed out that this is a very delicate issue and involves many people. The Council is responsible for dealing with each individual case, not to go on old ideas and make examples which are based on unverified facts that were presented and accepted as truths. Not only have there been insults toward the family members, but it has escalated to harassment and threats. An example is that they have been stopped on the street and told they should leave the community, even though they have lived there for 14 years, have 2 homes and a business and volunteer in their church and the commu- nity. Dundas' son has taken all of the steps recommended to them by all parties, and more. They are in total compliance with everything they have been asked to do, and yet they are being ostra- cized. They were even warned not to show up at the July 21 Council meeting by commu- nity members as it was stated that nobody wanted to hear what they had to say, echoing Hanna's response at the meeting. Councillors Don Murray, Lillian Abbott and Wilf Gam- ble all responded to Dundas. All agreed that this is a very emotional issue and apolo- gized that it had not been handled properly as attested to by the resulting treatment of the Dundas family. They had agreed to have Dundas speak as the family has com- plied with everything they have been asked to do. The Council regrets that the fam- ily is now being threatened due to the media reporting and urged Dundas to call the OPP to address the issue of the threats. This is most cer- tainly a case of things going very badly from not having all of the facts presented in the case. Dog Bite Issues in Lucknow A second delegation headed by Russel Sutton spoke to the issue of a dog in We IP Idds! UNDY y Dental Care ,rmfor r DANIS milli? With riKi•; Hanover 399 181h Avenue — 519.364.1970 Cunveniont.Filaurs for fhtsy Forratis Wonny Corm" in our Priv Areos 60/ y*e..re pc e of mine =N.) .iirliCtOrr Chair Rides, Smiles and Prizes are Always free 5edorjon Opikins Ivds, vorri Svanrkyar "Thrkirrny Crams' nal orambly at oil lacohont i1� ihIii. 'j 2 convenient locations to serve you LUE know 693 Havelock 5Ireel — 519 .5711.769 1 1:11-41:1 Reserve Your Appointment N 4 CIA Online Today! Lucknow. The issue in this case is that the dog is a repeat offender and the owners have not complied with any of the recommendations and orders they have received. The attacks have been to other dogs in the neighbourhood by a known attacker with 2 incidents in the past year alone. This dog is allowed to be at large. The dog enters other properties to attack the dogs. If this happens again to another animal, it will be the fourth time with this same dog. It is reported that neighbours have not had dog issues in the past. Neighbouring dogs have shared yards with no issues as it is a close neighbourhood and all are quite aware and are agreeable to having the dogs on the properties. The issues started when this specific dog was brought to the neighbouring property. The Bylaw Enforcement Officer, OPP and the courts have been involved. Charges have been laid, fines have been issued, the dog owners have been ordered to pay substantial vet bills incurred by vic- tims of the attacks, by-law enforce- ment rules have been enforced to the degree that they can be and, to date, there has been absolutely no compliance by the owners. The dog has been on the property for 2 years in which time it has attacked a dog being walked on a leash, one on its own property and another dog that was on a neighbours property where it has been permitted. Each time the attacking dog has left its own prop- erty to attack. The delegation asked Council what can be done to enforce the rules and stop the attacks. It was impressed on Council that the prop- erty owner where the dog resides has been a longstanding and respected citizen in the community for many years. There has never been any trouble from her or the next generation. It is the third gen- eration of the family that has moved into the owner's home and has brought the dog onto the property. It is this part of the family that have not followed the regulations or com- plied with the bylaws. Council advised that everything that can be done to enforce the reg- ulations has been done. Unfortu- nately it is a long process. Fines can continue to be issued in the hopes that when enough have accumu- lated that the owners will take action. It was suggested that Coun- cil can send a letter to the property owner outlining the issues to bring them to her attention. It was agreed that the dog owners may intercept the letter, but that if that happened it would send a message to the younger generation that the issue is now out in the open and may spur action on their part. Council members pointed to this case as one in which the dog owners are not compliant as compared to the Dundas case. It was agreed that this is the type of case that has col- oured the perception of the commu- nity members, including council members who have emotions as well, against compliant owners such as the Dundas family. These are totally different circumstances and should be treated as such. LED Streetlight Retrofit It was agreed that the township will reap substantial savings from the installation of LED streetlights to replace the existing ones. Although it will be costly to have them installed, they are warranted for 10 years which would result in approximately 70% savings on main- tenance and approximately 60% sav- ings in kw used. The savings would pay for the extra cost involved in replacing the existing lights and may help with funding being availa- ble to add lights were they are still needed. Wayfinding Signage The application for partnership funding to install wayfinding and entrance signs for Point Clark has been approved. The signs must be 'nstalled by June 2015 to meet fund - ng requirements. Call 1-866-734-9425 or visit www.medicalert.ca Medic Alert Lets You Live Life. ,• • • , • * ",---- 4' * * s oigEm'i (--- The Lucknow Sentinel Birthday Club Alana Mackey July 30, 2004 - 10 years old Ethan Bushell August 1, 2010 - 4 years old Jamie Peterhans August 2, 2010 - 4 years old Avery Cameron August 5, 2011 - 3 years old Your child can be a member of the Sentinel's birthday club call 519-528-2822 to register wi. LitkillW kntinell j 619 Campbell Street 519-528-2822 The delegation asked Council what can be done to enforce the rules and stop the attacks. It was impressed on Council that the prop- erty owner where the dog resides has been a longstanding and respected citizen in the community for many years. There has never been any trouble from her or the next generation. It is the third gen- eration of the family that has moved into the owner's home and has brought the dog onto the property. It is this part of the family that have not followed the regulations or com- plied with the bylaws. Council advised that everything that can be done to enforce the reg- ulations has been done. Unfortu- nately it is a long process. Fines can continue to be issued in the hopes that when enough have accumu- lated that the owners will take action. It was suggested that Coun- cil can send a letter to the property owner outlining the issues to bring them to her attention. It was agreed that the dog owners may intercept the letter, but that if that happened it would send a message to the younger generation that the issue is now out in the open and may spur action on their part. Council members pointed to this case as one in which the dog owners are not compliant as compared to the Dundas case. It was agreed that this is the type of case that has col- oured the perception of the commu- nity members, including council members who have emotions as well, against compliant owners such as the Dundas family. These are totally different circumstances and should be treated as such. LED Streetlight Retrofit It was agreed that the township will reap substantial savings from the installation of LED streetlights to replace the existing ones. Although it will be costly to have them installed, they are warranted for 10 years which would result in approximately 70% savings on main- tenance and approximately 60% sav- ings in kw used. The savings would pay for the extra cost involved in replacing the existing lights and may help with funding being availa- ble to add lights were they are still needed. Wayfinding Signage The application for partnership funding to install wayfinding and entrance signs for Point Clark has been approved. The signs must be 'nstalled by June 2015 to meet fund - ng requirements. Call 1-866-734-9425 or visit www.medicalert.ca Medic Alert Lets You Live Life.