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YARMOUTH, N.S. —

It's a problem seen throughout the region: owners open their doors and allow their dogs to roam freely.

Over the past few years an 86-year-old woman in one Yarmouth County community has had to deal with two Valley bulldogs that frequently visit, uninvited.

They climb up on her picnic table and eat the food she puts out for birds. As an avid gardener, frequently outside, she never knows when she’ll turn around to find them, or accidentally step in mounds of feces they leave behind.

“They run the roads, it’s not just my property,” the woman says. “They could really do a lot of damage to someone with those jaws.”

Although Valley bulldogs are known for their gentleness and intelligence when socialized properly, their appearance – with a muscular, sturdy build, broad head, thick neck, and very broad chest and shoulder area – often incites fear in those not familiar with the breed.

Reasons why it’s not safe to let your dog roam free

Collisions: Even isolated roads have traffic. Maybe your dog has never crossed the road before, but that can change if it sees another animal. Vehicular collisions account for a high percentage of vet visits. Many of these dogs do not survive. Drivers attempting to avoid a collision with your pet could crash as well.

Ice: Several years ago, a Great Dane puppy that was allowed to roam fell through the marsh ice in Rockville. It was in the frigid water for close to an hour. Despite a heroic rescue by the Yarmouth Fire Department the pup died of hypothermia.

Diseases and parasites: Your dog can come across disease-carrying substances from animal feces, dead wildlife, and even other living animals. They can easily contract an infectious disease. Some of these cannot be cured.

Injury to or from other animals: Your dog could wound or kill a wild or beloved domesticated pet, or come in contact with a porcupine, skunk or coyote pack.

Nuisance: Digging up gardens, defecating and/or urinating on other people’s property and frightening children or adults are other reasons to keep your dog secured.

Legal consequences: Many areas have leash laws, meaning you could be fined for allowing your dog to roam free. In some cases, your dog could even be taken from you.

Lost or stolen: Your dog may wander too far one day and never make it back. It might be mistaken as a stray and taken to a shelter, or taken in by another family. Someone could also steal it.

Neighbours in the area where these dogs are often loose have shared concerns about them. They have asked that their names and location remain anonymous over concern of retaliation.

One neighbour, who owns two small Yorkies, says they had to build a fenced-in area on their patio, so the roaming canines wouldn’t get to their dogs.

“It was an expense for us to have to build it. The dogs are always in our yard and they crap everywhere,” the woman says.

A livestock owner in the area is concerned about her animals being chased by the dogs. “If a dog chases them, they’re automatically going to run,” she says.

“They could run into a fence, hurt themselves, kill themselves, it’s really dangerous for those dogs to be in there with them."

She says she’s afraid to leave the house with her livestock in the field.

“I shouldn’t be a prisoner like that," she says. “Sometimes people who walk on the road are scared to death to walk by because of the dogs.”

Another neighbour says they’ve had one of the roaming bulldogs come in their yard and he plays with their own dog.

“We’ve had no altercations with him at all, but I don't think (the owners) really care if the dogs are running loose or not.

“We have chickens and we’ve always been concerned about them coming in our yard. We have them fenced off pretty good right now, but there are still places where dogs could get through. We don’t usually let them free-range unless one of us is home.”

The dogs have been reported running loose in the area by several of the neighbours. Afterward, they say the owner has kept them inside for about a month, but then they’re allowed to roam free again.

Owners of dogs that are allowed to roam are being irresponsible and gambling with the health and safety of their pet. - Contributed

ENFORCEMENT

SPCA chief provincial inspector Jo-Anne Landsburg says Nova Scotia SPCA is looking for an enforcement officer in the Yarmouth area, a position that's been vacant almost a year.

Currently there is one full-time officer and one part-time for the province. There are also officers who travel from Lunenburg and Kings County to provide assistance when needed.

“This type of profession is a vacancy that is very difficult to fill,” says Landsburg.

“The candidate would need to have an array of qualifications that both satisfy the Department of Justice for enforcement and be able to handle large, potentially aggressive dogs. Therefore, a combination of enforcement and animal handling is required.”

That combination is a challenge to find – and keep. Once hired, people with these qualifications often move on to government jobs that can offer greater benefits.

“It also takes a very unique personality. The love of animals is only part of the process," she says. "One must be very confident and be able to manage a diverse community, often under duress. Communication, crisis intervention and de-escalation are a huge part of our job."

When dogs roaming free are a problem in the community, she urges people to report it to the SPCA.

“Unless we are made aware of the situation, it may go on unattended. We do understand that some people are afraid of retaliation when reporting incidents. We would encourage that person to make us aware of the situation and unless we need a statement from them, the call will remain anonymous," she says.

Any form of threats or repercussion, she added, should always be reported to the police.

Vigilance is also important.

“If a person complains about a situation and an officer attends, but the situation reverts or happens again, that should be reported again. We will go back and reattend and may have to take a step further, such as issue a summary offence ticket. Evidence would be needed in a situation where a ticket is issued.”

If you need help

Those who do have a bylaw concern (dogs running free), can call 902-307-0475. The information is listed on both the Municipality of Yarmouth/ Town of Yarmouth Animal Services webpage.