Alberta First Nation takes lead on strays

An Alberta First Nation that brought in laws to deal with packs of feral dogs says the strategy could be used on other reserves struggling with their canine populations.

Josh Littlechild, the Tribal Law Officer of Ermineskin Cree Nation south of Edmonton, outlined the steps the reserve took two years ago at the National Animal Welfare Conference on Monday.

“We were having a few issues where dogs were getting aggressive toward our members,” Littlechild said.

Now, the reserve requires registrations and owners to meet a standard of animal care.

“We also have a dangerous dog provision,” he said. “It kind of addresses the whole gamut and the needs of dogs in our nation.”

Dogs running loose are common on reserves, particularly in northern areas.

Last May, Donnelly Rose Eaglestick of Little Grand Rapids First Nation in Manitoba was found dead after an animal attack at a construction site. Her body was surrounded by dozens of dogs.

In 2007, a five-year-old child was killed by a dog on Cumberland House First Nation north of Saskatoon.

Leah Arcand, who teaches at Thunderchild First Nation northwest of North Battleford, Sask., said she cares for 14 dogs. Two are hers permanently and the others she is fostering and finding new homes.

She said animal welfare organizations can be helpful.

“Like all animals, there are a lot of stray dogs guaranteed in every First Nations community that need your help. Just by donating food or getting the dogs spayed or neutered certainly helps a lot,” she told delegates.

Littlechild said there isn’t an easy answer for every First Nation but has shared his story with other chiefs.

“For First Nations, I think it would be a great approach to employ a law in each band’s constitution that addresses the need for animal welfare and dog welfare in particular,” he said.

Littlechild encouraged animal groups to reach out to leadership in each reserve before venturing onto traditional property and to not come with preconceived notions.

“Free-roaming dogs don’t necessarily mean that our dogs are not cared for. We have dogs that belong to households that free roam during the day and come home at night and sleep and eat and others belong to one family or multiple families,” said Littlechild.

“That’s part of the reason why our law was so important. We were finding a lot of rez dogs were ending up on homes off the reserve being scooped up because they’re seen as strays.”