A recent dog attack on 2nd Avenue has renewed discussion about the lack of an animal-control bylaw in Daajing Giids.
In a letter to council dated mid-September, residents Marsha Forrest and Sam DiGregor described an incident on September 3 in which one of them, age 74, was bitten on their property by one of two loose dogs running unsupervised in the neighbourhood. The couple said the incident occurred around 3 p.m. and that the RCMP were called immediately.
According to their account, officers responded but were unable to locate the dogs. Without a municipal bylaw covering animal control or dog ownership, police reportedly told the residents they had no authority to take further enforcement action beyond warning the owner.
Forrest and DiGregor wrote that while the incident was frightening for them, it could have been far worse for a child. They also noted that a family member had been bitten several years earlier and remains afraid of dogs. “Keeping our families safe is a basic tenet we strive to ensure in our society,” the letter reads. “Please consider a bylaw to provide some structure and guidance for pet owners to ensure a safer community.”
After canvassing their neighbours, the pair located the owner of the dogs and learned that the younger one, believed to be responsible for the bite, had not yet received a full vaccination and may not have received a rabies shot. They contacted Public Health and were advised to monitor the animal until September 13 for signs of rabies.
The letter was received by Daajing Giids Council and appears on the October 6 agenda under Correspondence for Action. No motion was recorded at that meeting. The issue is expected to return for discussion once staff have reviewed options and looked at examples from other island municipalities that already have animal-control measures in place.
Neighbouring communities, including Port Clements and Masset, have bylaws requiring owners to license and restrain dogs, with procedures for addressing aggressive or dangerous animals. Old Massett also has its own bylaw under village administration. Skidegate’s bylaw status could not be confirmed, and Daajing Giids currently has no municipal bylaw governing animal control or dog licensing.
Forrest and DiGregor said they hope their experience leads to action before another resident is hurt. Their letter closes with a request for the Village to establish clear expectations for responsible ownership and to help ensure public safety for both people and pets.
