After recent reports of coyotes roaming around Goderich, council invited the town's bylaw enforcement to explain the challenges facing animal control in the area.
Municipal Law Enforcement Manager Dave Duncan explained that the service used to be contracted out, but after the former animal control officer passed away, the file fell on bylaw's desk.
Mayor Trevor Bazinet said that they had to ask bylaw to handle the duties after they were unable to fill the vacancy.
"The Town of Goderich did post that job multiple times with no success," said Bazinet. "No one applied to be animal control in Goderich. It's not like we haven't tried... unfortunately after multiple times, we went to our bylaw enforcement office. And we're thankful for that, we're thankful for Dave and Noah (Smith) and others."
Not only does bylaw have issues of human resources (there are only two officers on staff) and strict regulations that won't allow them to trap most animals, Duncan says they also lack the necessary tools.
"We do not posses adequate equipment to perform certain animal control services. Coyotes, as the mayor was mentioning, it's a big concern on Facebook," he said. "First off, our equipment is a catch stick. It's something you would catch a dog with. Coyotes are larger, they have much more teeth, and we have one catch stick. If we do catch that coyote, I am not comfortable putting it in the Hyundai Kona to transport it. We do not have the equipment to transport wildlife."
Even domestic animals can pose a challenge if bylaw are unable to find the pets owner quickly, as they no longer have local vet or kennel services, and the closest SPCA is in Orangeville.
Duncan says this is an issue the whole county is facing.
"It's not just Goderich: South Huron, Central Huron, Bluewater, North Huron are all in the same boat. They cannot get a kennel. They cannot get anybody to provide services," Duncan told council. "There are no offices in Huron County for any of the assistance. They're all doing the same thing, they're mentioning on their websites 'We deal with domestic animals, if it is a wildlife issue, we'll provide a number for a service to come and deal with it on your expense.' But it's just, there's nothing around, nobody's willing to do it."
To learn more about what animal services Goderich can provide, visit their webpage.