INNISFAIL - The Town of Innisfail is making changes to its animal control services after a cat was euthanized in contravention of its own bylaw, devastating a family and resulting in the resignation of a peace officer.
The Piesse family’s eight-year-old cat Mikey was picked up by the town’s peace officer around 8 a.m. on Friday, June 8 for running at large.
After being held in a town facility over the weekend, Mikey was euthanized on Monday, June 11, one day before the bylaw states any further action should have been taken.
“We did not apply our bylaw, we’ve been inconsistent in how we run our services and yeah, we feel horrible for what has occurred and we’re taking full responsibility for the actions of the town. We’re devastated for making an impact on the family in this way and we’re totally apologetic to the family for this to occur,” said Todd Becker, the town’s chief administrative officer.
The peace officer’s conduct is under review, said Becker, and forms part of a continuing investigation. Yesterday, Becker confirmed peace officer Brandi Gray tendered her resignation effective immediately.
An animal control procedures manual is now under development, said Becker, adding the lack of policies was a contributing factor.
The Piesse family has been in contact with the town to get answers.
“I just want fair treatment for my cat that didn’t get it,” said Mike Piesse.
He said the family adopted Mikey from a pet store about six years ago. He was not licensed but was micro-chipped.
“It’s a big hole (in our family), there’s no doubt about it,” said Piesse.
“He wanted to be around people. Whether it was sitting on laps, lying beside the (dog) or if you were watching TV, he was in the room watching TV with you,” he added.
The family looked for Mikey all weekend and on Monday morning (June 11).
Piesse called the town office before 9 a.m. on June 11 to inquire whether the town had the cat.
Becker said front office staff recommended he call back within a short amount of time to connect with the peace officer.
Becker confirmed that just after 12 p.m., the peace officer took Mikey to a local vet and had him euthanized. When Piesse did call back after 1 p.m. Becker said that’s when town staff matched the cat with the owner.
A licence tag on an appropriate collar is the primary way staff identify animals, said Becker, adding this particular cat had neither. Although not required, the town also has a microchip reader. Becker said the peace officer indicated in a report that there was an unsuccessful attempt made to locate a chip.
According to Innisfail’s Animal Control Bylaw, impounded animals shall be kept no less than three days. Sundays and statutory holidays are not to be included in the computation of the three-day period.
During that time any healthy animal may be redeemed by its owner under certain conditions.
At the expiration of the three days, the bylaw states any unredeemed animals may be adopted or transferred to a humane society for re-adoption or destroyed if necessary.
“The initial report to me was the cat may have had some illness, however, I’m led to believe that the cat was not ill as per the report from the vet,” said Becker.
Innisfail veterinarian Dr. Michael Scheck confirmed he was involved in the incident but provided few details citing privacy laws.
"With the information that was provided to us, that decision was made," said Scheck. "There's a level of trust that has to be there (with bylaw). From what information we'd been given, from a legal standpoint, everything was in line."
He said even if veterinarian staff knew who the owner was, they are prevented from reaching out to them.
"When we have animals that are dropped off by members of law enforcement, even if they are microchipped or ID’d tattoo-wise with some other identification, we actually are not allowed to contact those owners by law," he said. "I did contact our Alberta Veterinary Medical Association and they did confirm that with me."
Becker said the incident has a negative impact on how the public may perceive the town as an organization and how it conducts its services.
“We are responsible and we want to move forward to gain back public trust in how we conduct our services,” said Becker.
Mayor Jim Romane said the town takes this issue very seriously and will work to ensure it never happens again.
However, he said he felt it was an isolated incident and with the followup measures the town is taking, there is not a public trust issue.
“All I can say is that this was an isolated situation with perhaps a lack of experience,” said Romane, noting that he has not yet looked into the matter fully, but agrees with the measures the town and CAO are taking.
“We’re taking responsibility. There wasn’t adequate attempt made (to contact the family). I think that in itself tells me we’re admitting the wrong (and) this is not going to happen again.”
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