Officers to continue watching for pooches
Oak Bay businesswoman Liz Smith unties her dog from a pole in the village. The municipality inked a new contract with Victoria Animal Control Services to enforce the existing dog bylaw, despite complaints about the company's approach.
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Updated: November 03, 2009 11:42 AM
People skills need work, municipality admits
Oak Bay has renewed its animal control contract, with a suggestion that the winning bidder look into communications training for its officers.
Of two applications received to provide services in Oak Bay, incumbent contractor Victoria Animal Control Services Ltd. was chosen by municipal administrator Bill Cochrane.
Oak Bay had received complaints from dog owners about VACS officers they felt were overzealous in enforcing bylaws. Earlier this year a resident complained to council after being issued a warning ticket, for tying up her dog outside an Oak Bay Avenue business.
Cochrane said it’s important that animal control officers “not rise to the bait” when confronting dog owners and admitted “there was probably some room for field staff training in that area.”
He described choosing between the two providers as “a purchasing agent’s nightmare,” saying the two bids were similar in price with only minor differences in services offered.
VACS quoted for $203,061 over three years beginning Jan. 1, 2010 won out over a Capital Regional District quote of $939 less.
vmoreau@saanichnews.com
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