Kuujjuaq gets a new dog pound
After several break-ins, a more secure structure now houses strays
Kuujjuaq, seen here in late November, has a new dog pound at the local dump. (Photo by Elaine Anselmi)
A structure built out of three shipping containers at the Kuujjuaq dump is the new home for the community’s dog pound.
Previous sites for the pound have seen frequent break-ins, costing the dogcatchers days of work in repairs.
Jake Chalmers, Kuujjuaq’s acting town manager and municipal bylaw enforcement officer, said the new pound was proposed by Steven Gosselin, the northern village’s solid waste facility attendant.
The new pound is still located at the landfill site and close to the previous pound.
But, being enclosed, it’s hidden in plain sight, said Chalmers, and some people have been asking where it is.
There were 12 dogs being held at Kuujjuaq’s new pound, at the community’s landfill site, in mid-January when the facility opened. (Photo by Jake Chalmers via Facebook)
“It moved about 200 feet and rather than outside in an open cage, he put three sea-cans together to build a makeshift dog pound for the winter,” said Chalmers.
It’s next to the attendant’s office and hooked up to electricity.
“We have video surveillance in that area where we put it, so anytime anyone comes and goes, we can see it,” said Chalmers.
A previous dog pound was located closer to town, next to the water plant, but Chalmers said break-ins were so frequent they moved it to the dump. But they still had issues with people breaking in and releasing the dogs.
A new pound wasn’t really on the books, but when the attendant suggested it and set about getting approvals, Chalmers said they certainly saw the value.
“It was a surprise last minute thing for us and once I realized what he was doing, I put my full support behind it,” said Chalmers. “The dogs aren’t in the cold, they aren’t being broken out.”
Under Kuujjuaq’s bylaws, dogs have three days at the pound before they’re scheduled to be terminated. Chalmers said there are always exceptions, for example a dog that got loose and their owner is out of town.
“Of course, we do make a lot of arrangements for people in town,” he said.
He reminded all residents to tie up their dogs, saving the northern village the work of catching and managing loose dogs.
“We can’t have dogs running around with kids lining up for the bus at school. There have been issues there,” he said. “It’s for the safety and security of the community.”
Told , my kid , no more dogs , you don’t look after them
alright this is great initiative. Good work Jake and Steven. Wish other communities can catch on.
Nakurmiik, for your wise decision.
For good many years, the owners had trouble carrying for their dogs, due to numerous reasons;
1. some strangers would end up untying any dog(s) either for jealousy, or from being annoyed of barking sounds distracting their sleeps.
2. some owners neglects their dog(s) which is called cruelty to animals.
3. some dog(s) can be strong enough too break their chains, leash and collars and would end being loose/stray.
4. many hungry dogs would up end going through garbage boxes.
5. Any leading dog must or receive vaccination following their age group, to prevent sickness i.e. prevent rabies, parvo virus, worms, and any type of virus
6. Any dog carrying unborn pups, must be loose in case, she will deliver puppies, but the owner must handle the new puppies and place them in safe healthy place, but would recommend to move around to a clean area to avoid parvo virus, the mother of puppies would move around her puppies, this is a sign of requesting to be placed in clean area to avoid parvo virus.
You must have expertise knowledge of how to breed dogs, they need nurturing care, not just ignoring them
A dog pound must have care giver on daily basis;
1. feed dogs
2. provide clean area, keep removing dog’s droppings to avoid virus building up
3. provide clean snow, so a dog can avoid getting dehydration during winter, and in summer, provide clean water for drinking water access
4. any dog should carry identification under their owner(s) involving contact number(s)
5. follow their vaccination records
6. A vet must visit them etc.
Good luck running a dog pound, and to avoid cruelty to animals which is under Criminal Code of Canada, a must google cruelty to animal(s)
Typos corrections;
#3. end-up being loose/stray
I think that’s good, that dog pound. We have several different attitudes towards dogs, seen it more in kuujjuaq. You have the city folks mostly with a certain way to treat the dog, like keeping it in the house, 90 % of the time, cleaning up feces, and urine on a little mat in the corner. They take their dogs out for a walk around the block, some exercise and fun, running after a stick being thrown. Dog food in a bag for food. The other side, are most local people who treat dogs more naturally and not allowing them in the house, I’m guilty of such. Keeping the dog outside, torn between tying them up and letting them free. Off course it’s not safe to have some dog running around with possible attacks to people. I’m in favour of keeping them tied up, outside with dog house. Feeding them some solid food , like left over fish and meat. But what I’m saying is , remember the difference in attitude and culture. I’m not going to clean up dog poop, and pee anytime soon! On a mat in my living room. And if my dog is outside tied, feed well with solid food, nice house house, and he comes with me when I go camping, I’m in my rightful attitude.
Happy for this initiative! However, no matter where you live: Please, please do NOT get your children pets if you are not willing to pick up the lack. When it comes to watering, feeding, exercising, getting the proper shots, grooming and giving attention to your beloved pet, please do not leave all of this responsibility on your child(ren). Pets are a responsibility to the end of their life (dogs and cats can live for a very long time [+15 years] if you take care of them properly). They are your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are their life, their love and their leader. He will be faithful and true to the last beat of their heart. You owe it to them to be worthy of such devotion.
There are people who would treat a dog better than a human. There are people, for one reason or another, who have a dog, and it’s like a child to them. I’m not judging, just stating the facts. I mean dog rights and all, that’s fine. But don’t put less value on a child or any person, to put your dog above them. That where people will run into trouble with a different value here in the north. The dog is a dog. And will remain a dog. It’s not human. Not to treat it poorly, but not to treat it like a child or someone you’re going to marry either. I love my dog! But if it bit someone, he’s not going to the pound, he’s going to dog eternity. That being said, for those that keep their dogs inside! You are not right, you are just different, and so are we who keep dogs outside. Those dogs inside would not survive too long outside in their nature for long. Respect dogs that are outside, tied, fed , shelter and happy, and get to run for miles on the land. For inside dogs, that’s fine, but not for many of us.
I once was a Huskies breeder and big time dog musher with my later Father, we both did Kuujjuaq Kangirsuk Kuujjuaq with our Italians guests from Italy, and we lost few of our dogs being stolen from French southerners.
How come they have thieves, when their southern dogs have prices to buy them? our Huskies are not for sale either! they are born and made for North, not suffer in heat in south!
My late Father was so Angry when he lost one of his best musher.
The huskies are made to work to provide our families, they are number workers having knowledge to deal with a blizzard, they use to bring us back to our camp or home ground from their sniffing, they know the land more than a human.
Good luck having dog pound
Good action.
Dogs sometimes do attack humans.
Wondering if the miniture dogs are more tame?
How dare you miss spell the legal “Kuujjuaq” !
Yes, I agree with you, dogs do attack people sometimes, when they were attacked by a fox or a wolf that carries rabies, and passes on the virus, unless the owner neglects their dog(s) and hunger is one of them!
Unless when a dog is sick, it tends to attack a human, keep checking if a dog shows saliva hanging from their mouth, it would be a sign of sickness or virus, then it needs to be let go, put to sleep for good.
If the talk in not about jails being built to house inmates, it’s about pounds being made to house the strayed dog. That’s the story of life in Nunavik anyway. Trying to figure out who and what belongs in a cage. I think we should be more concerned about loose,people that are causing trouble, never mine the dogs.