The Town of Hay River has shared a handful of tips on how to properly handle animals that are running amuck in the community.
Whether they belong to a family, or have wandered in from out of town, animals can put themselves and others in danger if they are allowed to wander around town on their own, and their presence is expected to increase as the weather improves. While pets belonging to families are often quickly found or are able to return home by themselves, the greater concern is having wild animals getting accustomed to an urban environment.
There is a risk of wild animals losing their fear of humans and urban environments, which makes them more likely to make multiple trips into town to rummage through garbage and search for food.
To help keep track of any animals that may be out and about where they shouldn’t be, the Town of Hay River has shared some advice on what locals should do if they see one. Mainly, when reporting an animal, officials need to know where it is and what it’s doing. Share its current location and what its doing, whether that be searching for food and water, attempting to enter a location, or is even attacking someone or something. Providing photo or video evidence can also be a great help, as officials will be better able to identify the animal when they go out to search for it. Share the current location of the animal, and whether or not it is currently heading towards a different area. Lastly, if the animal is indeed a known pet, let officials know who it belongs to so that the owners can be informed as well.
Any of this information can be sent by email to [email protected], or by calling the Town Hall at 867-874-6522. If there is an aggressive animal causing a disturbance after hours, it is best to contact the RCMP at 867-874-1111.
