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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCD-25-97 THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON REPORT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE File# Res. Date: JUNE 2 , 1997 By-Law# Report#: CD-25-97 File#: Subject: IMPLEMENTATION OF BOUNTY I, I Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1 . THAT Report CD-25-97 be received; and I 2 . THAT a copy of Report CD-25-97 be forwarded to Barry James, Tony Speziale, Morris Nimigon, Joe McKenna, Bill Hale, Murray Payne, Bill Hasiuk and any other individuals who are experiencing difficulties with coyotes . BACKGROUND AND COMMENT: In accordance with the Livestock, Poultry and Honey Bee Protection Act, every municipality in the Province must appoint one or more livestock valuers . It is the responsibility of the valuers to assess the amount of damage sustained to farmers, livestock from predators and to determine whether the damage was caused by wolves, dogs or other animal . The farmers, claims are paid by the Municipality for damage caused by dogs and wolves . All wolf damage claims are forwarded to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Municipality is reimbursed for those amounts . Budget figures for the last three years are as follows : P A P E L A D A P E R 7 0 1 RECYCLE THOS B PRI-D M RECYCLED PAPER Report CD-25-97 - 2 - June 2, 1997 Amount Reimbursed Amount Paid by Province 1994 $ 66, 753 $47, 633 1995 83 , 769 82 , 638 1996 102 , 930 95, 274 Note : Amount paid includes remuneration of valuers. In speaking with the Township of Manvers, it has been learned that they have been able to decrease their claims from $8, 595 in 1994 to $626 in 1996 . This occurred when they appointed a veterinarian as the livestock valuer. Letters have been sent to the veterinarians in the Municipality of Clarington to determine whether they would be interested in such an appointment in 1998, being the next time the appointments are to be dealt with by Council . At a meeting held on March 24 , 1997, Council adopted the following recommendation of the General Purpose and Administration Committee : "THAT the Livestock Valuers of the Municipality be invited to the next meeting of Council to provide an update on the predatory kills of livestock in the Municipality; and THAT Staff research the issue of a bounty. " Accordingly, on April 14 , 1997, a presentation was received from Barry James, Livestock Valuer. He advised that the increase in claims is due to the rapid increase in wolf population and the resulting disappearance of groundhogs and rabbits . As sheep are easy targets for wolves, and Clarington is home to some of the largest sheep producers in Ontario, the Municipality is a "hot spot" for wolf kills . He also stated that in areas where 702 Report CD-25-97 - 3 - June 2, 1997 electric fencing is installed, very few animals are lost to wolves . Mr. James referred to an "Ontario Predator Study" which is attached as Schedule A. In order to find out more information about the wolves, Dr. Martin, the Sheep Health Veterinarian with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food was contacted. Dr. Martin advised that the "wolves' being encountered in this area are in fact Eastern Coyotes . These animals are a cross between the grey wolf and the coyote. They are larger than a coyote but have wolf genes . Unlike the wolf, the Eastern Coyotes move in family packs and hunt in groups . Their population is presently at a peak. Dr. Martin has assured staff that the Ministry is aware that Clarington is experiencing a large number of attacks and they are reviewing options and methods of curtailing the problem. At present, however, the only options available to the farmers are the use of a trapper and ensuring that their livestock is properly looked after, ie, brought in at night, checked carefully every day and having them nearby when giving birth. To discuss the issue of a bounty, the Ministry of Natural Resources was contacted. Bounties were removed approximately 25 years ago as they were found to be ineffective . They do not remove problem animals and may, in fact, remove non-offending animals and allow the problem animals to expand their range . The Ministry has stated that nothing has changed in the meantime to convince them to reinstate a bounty. A Municipality cannot offer a bounty as this is in violation of the Game and Fish Act . When discussing the entire issue with the Ministry of Natural Resources, it was suggested that a farmer who is experiencing problems with coyotes could contact a trapper to enter onto his 703 Report CD-25-97 - 4 - June 2 , 1997 property for the purpose of trapping the animals . The Ministry regulates the trapping, ie, foot and leg-hold traps must be used, not snares, and the traps must be checked at least once every 24 hours . Coyotes are not an easy animal to trap, therefore, it is recommended that if a farmer is interested in this alternative, he should look for a trapper with previous coyote experience . Staff have been given the names of four trappers in the area who presently do work for the Ministry. These names will be given out upon enquiry. Other alternatives suggested were ensuring that animals are brought in at night, installation of electric fences and the introduction of guard animals into a herd. The difficulty lies in the fact that coyotes have been known to bypass physical obstacles by digging under fences and by distracting the guard animal while the rest of the pack attacks the prey. Upon completion of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food' s review, a further report will be presented to Council . At this time, it is recommended that a copy of this report be forwarded to Barry James, Tony Speziale, Morris Nimigon, Joe McKenna, Bill Hale, Murray Payne, Bill Hasuik and any other individuals who are experiencing difficulties with coyotes . Respe'ctfu ly s mitted, Reviewed by, 1 , a. Patti Bar e, A.M. C.T. W.H. Stockwell Cle Chief Administrative Officer 704 Report CD-25-97 - 5 - June 2 , 1997 Interested parties to be advised of Council' s decision: Barry A. James R.R. $#1 Newtonville, Ontario LOA 1JO Tony Speziale 3828 Newtonville Road Newtonville, Ontario LOA 1JO Morris Nimigon 280 King Street East Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 1P9 Murray Payne 4612 Highway ##2 Newtonville, Ontario LOA 1JO Bill Hasiuk 2780 Holt Road Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K3 Bill Hale 3634 Reid Road Newtonville, Ontario LOA 1JO i