BIGGAR — The Town of Biggar is currently under investigation by the Animal Protective Services of Saskatchewan (APSS) regarding allegations that the municipality has been illegally disposing of trapped stray cats outside town boundaries and breaking provincial animal abuse legislation.
In a statement from Don Ferguson, executive director for APSS, he told SASKTODAY.ca via email that their organization is concerned that not every municipality is aware of their responsibilities when trapping cats or "loaning" traps to citizens.
"The moment the cat is trapped, the person who set up the trap has the legal responsibility to ensure the health and welfare of that animal. If the cat becomes distressed, the person trapping the cat can be charged under the Animal Protection Act," read the statement.
Kimberly Paulsen's cat, Frankie, went missing on July 14, and upon questioning the Town of Biggar, (a municipality with a population of just over 2,000 people nearly 100 kilometres west of Saskatoon,) officials admitted that they have been disregarding their stray animal bylaw, and seemingly, provincial legislation by relocating stray cats outside town limits.
"Cats are not to be relocated (example: moved to farms, across town, abandoned in the country, or destroyed.). Abandoning animals is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada, and killing other people's cats is prohibited under the Criminal Code."
The APSS noted in their statement that because communication between APSS and the Town of Biggar is in relation to an investigation that is still ongoing, a comment cannot be made as to what has occurred at this time.
"As charges have not been laid at this time and the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment due to privacy legislation."
In an earlier email with SASKTODAY.ca, the Town of Biggar wouldn't commit to stopping their practice of abandoning cats outside town limits with an email from town CAO, Marty Baroni, noting that the town had concluded that the protocols set out in the Town’s Animal Control Bylaw were not properly followed by the parties responsible for its enforcement.
The email went on to say, “This matter was taken seriously, and corrective measures have been undertaken to inform the responsible parties on the proper procedures … please note that Animal Protection Services has already been in contact with the town and their input and recommendations were implemented in the new bylaw."
When asked again if they commit to ending this practice, the town said the case is not currently before the courts and a statement had been made.
At the time of publication, Town of Biggar CAO Marty Baroni has not responded to a request for comment from SASKTODAY.ca regarding the current investigation.
