Clive Council: Council ponders stray dog complaint

Clive village council heard about efforts to corral at least one canine running at large. The issue of stray dogs was discussed at the Jan. 27 regular meeting of council.

In Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Carla Kenney’s report she noted residents have complained about stray dogs on social media.

“Informal stray dog complaints on social media (have been reported),” stated Kenney’s report to council.“Working with animal control on communicating the consequences to others of dogs at large.”

During discussion Kenney stated that the village’s animal control contractor can’t act based on social media comments; rather, a formal compliant is needed.

The CAO also noted if the contractor comes out to Clive, a fee is charged while there is no guarantee that a stray dog will be caught.

It was also observed that at least one owner of a stray dog has made it clear he or she has no intention of abiding by the animal control rules.

The CAO clarified that if a stray dog is captured by animal control it will be taken to the kennels where the owner will have a chance to claim it after kennel fees are paid.

The issue of a bylaw ticket was also discussed, and what the bylaw officer would need to write a ticket: clear evidence such as a date stamped photograph of the dog at large. Councillors asked village staff to follow up on this issue.

Pooling resources

Councillors approved an agreement with Wolf Creek Public Schools regarding the 2025 municipal and school board elections. Kenney stated during her report that Clive and Wolf Creek usually work together on local elections to save some money by reducing duplication.

Mayor Luci Henry stated that if there are multiple candidates for limited seats and there is an election, Clive and Wolf Creek can work together to conduct the election and save taxpayer’s money.

The CAO added that Clive and Wolf Creek have worked together on elections in the past.

Windy situation

Kenney informed councillors there have been requests from residents to replace missing garbage bins, the plastic ones dumped automatically by the village contractor. When empty, the bins are easily blown around by strong winds.

Kenney stated the bins cost $100 to replace and residents are encouraged to write their address on the bin so if it’s blown around it can be returned.

RCMP report

Kenney provided councillors with the regular report of the Blackfalds RCMP detachment, which is responsible for providing police service to Clive. The report notes this detachment area also includes Gasoline Alley south of Red Deer.

As councillors discussed the substantial report it was noted the detachment area is quite large, and must be challenging for police to respond to calls for service from opposite ends.

On Jan. 11 RCMP received a call from a Lacombe County business that suffered a break-in. Access was gained to the property through a fence.

On Jan. 17 RCMP received calls about an individual walking alone on the highway in Lacombe County. Police located the individual and helped them get to a safe location.

On Jan. 18 police received a complaint from a Lacombe County residence. After police arrived they discovered a verbal dispute; police mediated and both individuals agreed to separate for the night.

Councillors noted the large number of motor vehicle collisions (MVC) RCMP recently attended; RCMP noted Jan. 16 was particularly bad due to icy road conditions.

Chief’s resignation

Councillors officially accepted Clive Fire Chief Monte Zaytsoff’s resignation, with regrets. The resignation takes effect Jan. 31.

Councillors passed a resolution naming the deputy chief as acting fire chief; Kenney noted the village is currently looking for their new fire chief and expects to have the role filled by the end of March.

Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review

About the author

Stu Salkeld

Stu Salkeld, who has upwards of 28 years of experience in the Alberta community newspaper industry, is now covering councils and other news in the Stettler region and has experience working in the area as well.

He has joined the ECA Review as a Local Journalism Initiative Journalist.

Stu earned his two-year diploma in print journalism from SAIT in Calgary from 1993 to ’95 and was raised in Oyen, Alta., one of the communities within the ECA Review’s coverage area.