Humane Services Staff Designated Provincial Inspectors

Three City of St. John’s Humane Services Division staff in the Department of Community Services have received their designation as provincial inspectors under the provincial Animal Health and Protection Act.

“We are extremely pleased that our Humane Services Division staff has received this important designation,” says Councillor At Large Sheilagh O’Leary, Chair of the Animal Care and Control Committee. “Now that our staff have been designated as provincial inspectors it allows us to deal with animal abuse and cruelty within City limits without having to pass along the case to an outside agency. This is an important step forward for the City in the protection of animals.”

The three officers are Cindy McGrath, Mike Joyce and Cindy Cullimore, who prior to being designated in April completed an in-depth training program provided by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Staff will now be able to not only educate, inspect and investigate issues of animal abuse or cruelty, but also be able to enforce the provincial legislation within City boundaries by laying charges when it has been determined that legislation has been violated.

“In the past we simply did not have the authority to remove a pet from private property if required or to lay charges if legislation was being violated,” says Councillor O’Leary. “While we are pleased that we are now in a position to handle these cases from start to finish, we will continue to work very closely with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and other agencies to ensure the safety of residents and animals.”

 
For further information:
Jennifer Mills
Communications Officer
City of St. John's
Phone: (709) 570-2037
Cell: (709) 690-7586
E-mail: jmills@stjohns.ca

Sheilagh O’Leary
Councillor At Large
Chair, Animal Care and Control Committee
City of St. John’s
Phone: (709) 576-8567
E-mail: soleary@stjohns.ca