The City of Melfort has amended the animal control contract after a pair of dogs were rescued at the Melfort landfill over Christmas holidays. (Facebook/Brad Schaerer)

By Angie Rolheiser

City of Melfort

Dog rescue at landfill over the holidays prompts amendment to animal control contract

Jan 11, 2022 | 12:49 PM

A new contract between the City of Melfort and animal control aims to ensure that animals abandoned at the landfill are managed safely.

The contract was entered at last night’s regular meeting of council which was also the first meeting of the new year.

Mayor Glenn George told northeastNOW the contract states animal control officer boundaries will now include city owned property such as the dump, airport and cemetery, all of which are in the Rural Municipality.

“She will gladly go out and do all of that, it’s just that for liability reasons if it’s not in her contract she is not going out there,” George said.

The changes come after an incident with two dogs that were left at the landfill over Christmas weekend and there was some confusion as to what should be done and who should take care of it.

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“The problem during that incident was that our dog catcher was for in the city limits,” George said.

The landfill is not within city limits, but it is city owned so the contract has been adjusted accordingly.

The two dogs that had been abandoned were eventually rescued by animal rights advocate Brenda Orr and a team of concerned citizens. The dogs were rescued on Dec. 27 and were taken to a foster home.

“Thank you to Brenda and her team for all they did to help out Melfort in a very critical situation,” George said.

New work procedures are also being developed to guide staff on handling animals found at the city landfill.

In a release from the City of Melfort it is stated that the purpose of animal control is to ensure citizens safety, health, and welfare and protect animals and property.

George said communities that have never encountered this type of situation could learn from Melfort and ensure it never happens to them.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser