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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: September 26, 2016
Report Number: CLD-022-16 Resolution:
File Number: By-law Number:
Report Subject: Poundkeeper Services and Remuneration
Recommendations:
1.That Report CLD-022-16 be received;
2.That staff be authorized to seek a third party contractor to provide transport and housing
of stray livestock, to replace the traditional process of appointing a Poundkeeper; and
3.That all interested parties be advised of Council’s decision.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CLD-022-16 Page 2
Report Overview
The remuneration for Poundkeepers appointed by Council does not address current needs.
This Report provides the necessary details for Council to consider amending the
remuneration as well as considering a new approach to poundkeeper services.
1. Background
On March 29, 2016, Council passed Resolution GG-189-16 appointing Karen Minaker as
Poundkeeper. After this time, in discussion with Ms. Minaker, it had been brought to
staffs attention that costs outweigh remuneration. Other concerns raised by Ms. Minaker
included liability, WSIB, staffing requirements, and training.
The appointment of a poundkeeper just covers the one individual as an employee and
he/she would be covered for WSIB purposes. However, the nature of these calls may
require additional personnel to assist. This in itself creates the majority of the issues with
this service.
Over the past few years, on average only a few calls are received for stray livestock and
necessitating the assistance of a poundkeeper. In 2016 only two animals were
impounded. The majority of calls are resolved either by the finder of the stray animal or
Animal Services determining the livestock owner and having the animal returned or dealt
with by the owner.
In 1996, the remuneration rate for Poundkeepers was set by Council at $50.00 per call.
This rate has increased annually by a rate which corresponds to the salary adjustment
provisions affecting CUPE as approved by Council. Thus, the current rate is $82.04.
2. Discussion
Currently, the Municipality of Clarington’s Exotic Animal By-law allows staff to deal more
effectively and consistently with impounding of stray livestock than does the current
approach used for Poundkeeper services. Staff have the ability to initially assess
livestock calls and determine ownership or the need to impound animals. The ability to
house and transport livestock restricts the level of service that Animal Services may
provide. For health and practical reasons, livestock cannot be housed in the same facility
as where the dogs and cats are sheltered.
Few applications have been received over the last few terms from people interested in
being appointed as Poundkeeper. With the current rates set by Council for poundkeeper
services being so low, and the liability that is taken on by providers of this service,
Municipality of Clarington
Report CLD-022-16 Page 3
interest of our skilled residents in providing this service is very low. The recently
appointed Poundkeeper identified costs as being an issue, as was also heard through
discussions with livestock valuers. The current commercial livestock hauling fees can
range from $1.25-$1.75 per km with varying chute fees (loading, unloading). Whereas
Clarington’s current poundkeeper fees are $82.04 per call and set rate per kilometre
travelled. It is believed that the current costs for services traditionally provided now
exceed our fees paid for poundkeeping services.
3. Proposal
The Pounds Act RSO 1990, Chapter 17 Section 1 allows Municipalities to vary the scope
of the application of the legislation. Currently the Exotic Animal By-law has provisions to
allow the Municipality to deal with Livestock through the use of its own By-law.
Within Schedule C of the Exotic Animal By-Law, provisions exist to charge back to the
owner any additional costs incurred by a third party for the impounding of the livestock
animals. Contracting the transport and housing to a third party will allow the Municipality
to alleviate the issues of liability, WSIB, insurance and appropriate costs.
Animal Services would continue to attend calls to assess the situation, and make
attempts to contact the owner. If owners are not able to be located, the Animal Services
Officer would make the determination if transport and housing may be accommodated by
staff, or if other means are required. Following an impoundment, any reclaim
transactions would be handled through Animal Services, with the owner being invoiced
for any additional costs incurred through the third party contractor.
4. Concurrence
This report has been reviewed by the Director of Finance/Treasurer who concurs with the
recommendations.
5. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that the practice of appointing of a poundkeeper by
Council be discontinued, and that Staff be authorized to contract services for transport
and housing of stray livestock to assist Animal Services staff.
Municipality of Clarington
Report CLD-022-16 Page 4
6. Strategic Plan Application
The recommendations contained in this report conform to the Strategic Plan.
Submitted by: Reviewed by:
Anne Greentree, Curry Clifford, MPA, CMO
Municipal Clerk Interim CAO
Staff Contact: Anne Greentree, Municipal Clerk, 905-623-3379 ext. 2102 or
agreentree@clarington.net