Petition seeks better animal control in Fort Providence, N.W.T.

A petition seeking a bylaw officer in in Fort Providence, N.W.T., has begun gathering steam online, already collecting over 30 signatures.

Linda Croft says the hamlet needs to hire a bylaw officer to deal with animal control specifically dogs.

Croft's petition is posted online.

"Anyone who lives in our community is well aware that there is a serious dog problem," she writes.

"There are dogs who are left without food (and)shelter.There are dogs that are allowed to run wild through the streetsfree to attack as they choose.There are puppies given to people who do not care for them. There are freezing puppies scratching and crying to get into a warm home."

Croft writes "TheGNWT have laws pertaining to the well-being and ownership of dogsyet our community does not adhere to them.We need a bylaw officer."

Some of the signatories identify themselves as from Fort Providence, while others are in Alberta and othercommunities within the NWT.

The community of Fort Providence has a history of dog attacks, and Deh ChoMLA Michael Nadlihas pushed for the NWT government to back a program to spay and neuter animals across the territory.

The hamlet of Fort Providence has about 788 residents. The community does not have a full-time veterinarian but is served by occasional travelling clinics.

People can also travel with their animals by road toYellowknife.