Aggressive dogs cost Hope an extra $26,000 this year

Aggressive dogs have raised animal control costs in Hope by more than $26,000, according to the district’s latest annual budget review.

Hope spent $47,220 on animal control in 2024, roughly $15,000 more than it budgeted ($31,800).

The increase is largely due to the high number of dogs that have been impounded and detained by the district. The figures surpassed its current contract with the pound, which also went up three per cent this year.

“It’s been quite significant; it’s been quite an intense year for us,” said Donna Bellingham, Hope’s director of corporate services, at the Nov. 13 committee of the whole meeting.

The district has put down four dogs so far in 2024.

Bellingham added the rise in unruly dogs could be attributed to the increasing cost of living and population growth.

“It’s not all stemmed to the advent of population but some of it is,” Bellingham said. “We’ve been able to seize some dogs from homes and encouraged [residents] to surrender them to us and do the right thing.”

None of the detained dogs were repeat offenders.

The district has budgeted $53,800 for animal control next year.