ES mailbox |><|E

Separate pound and shelter

Dear Editor

It’s time for a change at the SPCA. In a recent letter to the Editor (June 13th), Dr. Earnshaw reminded us of the days when private dog- catchers were hired to im- pound problem dogs. This led to abuses, and the SPCA was brought in to do a better job. In addition to providing shelter and selling dog licences, the SPCA was also given the authority to impose and collect fines.

‘The system worked reasonably well until about five years ago. However, it is no longer true, as suggested by Dr. Earnshaw, that revenues Offset costs. The an- nual budget of the District of North Vancouver shows that since 1979, in the District alone, the annual net cost to the taxpayer has tripled. In 1979, the difference between cost and revenue was about $20,000. In 1983, this jumped to over $60,000.

As costs of their operation rose, the SPCA looked for ways to increase revenue. Un- fortunately, but predictable, the SPCA chose ta make use of their broad and indepen- dent authority under By-law 3039. Under the guise of ‘‘responding to compliaints’’, the SPCA have apparently attempted to increase revenue by intensifying their patrols by vehicle. Like many others in our area, we were a victim of a recent ‘‘neighborhood blitz’? by an SPCA patrol. In a period of one month, a single SPCA patrolman seiz- ed 18 dogs and issued 12 tickets in a two-block neighborhood.

Despite fewer complaints by residents over the last three years, the SPCA search for ‘‘stray’’ dogs has increas- ed. SPCA Yearly Service Reports to the District show that complaints about dogs declined from 640 in 1980 to 430 in 1983. However, total

charges under the By-law, dogs impounded, and tickets issued increased from 825 in 1980 to 1,144 in 1983.

The SPCA will probably claim that this surge of activi- ty produced a drop in com- plaints. But they will have forgotten two: things. First, By-law 3039 (Dog tax and pound by-law) allows the SPCA to respond to legitimate complaints. It is not the intent of the by-law to allow the SPCA patrols to roam at will searching for any dog that might, for a few moments, wander off his owner's property.

Second, -and more in- criminating, is the statement of priorities contained in the 1983 SPCA Yearly Service Report. The following is taken directly from this Report:

**The Shelter, in 1983, was -

given three priorities, which were as follows;

Local committee needed for

Dear Editor:

Dr. Earnshaw hits the nail in the head when he says that what North Vancouver needs is its own active branch of the SPCA — not just an offshoot of the Vancouver regional branch. West . Vancouver, operating under the umbrella of the ‘‘parent body’’ (the

Fire truck took 15

Dear Editor

1 have noticed that there is a large number of articles and - photos in the NEWS concer- ning the community ‘‘work”’ of the North Vancouver District Fire Dep’t. Now I’m sure this was a good idea just at the time they were threatening strike action against the community tax-

on your reading

YOUR SECRET TO VIBRANT GOOD HEALTH

by Wilham

syinginntt pC e ) Coe ee

C trovervec ht

The tolal approach to good healthy ty a 6 author who has spent couch of bas lite researching thes most vital Of mnatiers foe alt

ofous One teevealtty

Please send me a copy of

YOUR SECRET TO VIBRANT GOOD HEALTH

Myo Rewgiee for $4 US ens faved

overall B.C. SPCA) has always insisted on being a separate branch. It has been so for about fifty years and during all that time has been notable for the concern of its members for animal welfare. As long as there has been a shelter the members have in- sisted that it be well run even

payers for higher wages. What I was glad to see, however, was the goal of the new Fire Chief Archie Steacy to provide a high standard of service to our community. This appears to be very much needed, as about one week ago a car fire occurréd in the parking tot at Queens and Lonsdale and it took two Phone calls and a wait of 15

when the money to do so was very scarce.

Speaking from personal experience | know that many of us from West Van. have tried for years to persuade our North Van. animal lov- ing friends to set up their own branch of the BCSPCA and to elect a committe interested

minutes

minutes for the fire truck to arrive (according to those making the calls.)

] certainly hope the new Chief will be able to improve on this aspect of the Depart- ment, and wish him well in his endeavors.

R. Gibbs North Vancouver

AMBLESIDE HOBBIES & CRAFTS —

Vas Marine Or

922-3512

OOM b Cay Ss a werk

qed 4 med Wye V

an

1 Venetian

draperies by S. Laursen

Custom Draperies Bedspreads Vertical and Wooden Blinds

‘‘In-home Service”

FREE ESTIMATES GLADLY GIVEN All biinds 20% off list Labour per panel $5.50 (untined). $6.50 (lined) FOR THE FINAL TOUCH

Kam to6p.m. Monday thru Saturday

call 987-2966

a) To achieve a higher claim rate, which in turn would increase revenue.

b) To increase revenue from all possible areas,

c) To increase the issuance of tickets’’.

It is abundantly clear that the present combined SPCA/Pound operation has outlived its usefulness. In operating the Pound as a revenue-producing arm, the SPCA has lost sight of its original objective.

The time has come for the establishment of an indepen- dent shelter-oriented opera- tion. The Pound itself should be detached from the SPCA, returned to a properly super- vised department within the District, and made directly responsible to local tax- payers, who now provide the major source of financing.

A,.R. Casselman, North Vancouver

NV SPCA

in the proper running of the pound. This is not to criticise Vancouver regional which has a mammoth task to per- form but just to insist that it is vital for each area to have its own on-the-spot committee. :

N.H. Gillison (Mrs.)

West Vancouver

NOW!

September 6

Att Secretary

SURNAM

RESIDENT ADDRESS,

Cily

PHONE

heratry ooly Che

He ae OFT ryere oo!

“wou Ty fyi Aw,

BAL

Of Wel Vana cniver

lenciose my membership tee

thre see

cee tty med ae The Hy ot ert ae

Village of tise Bay the

A7 - Wednesday, July 4, 1984 - North Shore News

Surely not blood money?

Dear Editor: I do not agree with the June 8th article by Walter

Block which recommends paying blood donors and charging patients for blood. There are many activities which benefit from the discipline of the marketplace but I don’t think that the

THE NATURAL CUT iollows the flow of the

THE NATURAL PERM

follows the flow of the hair and is curled exactly as it falls. Shampoo and let it dry.

°35

Nataral Nails 828 (reg. $45) WE CARE FOR YOUR HAIR

If you care about this issue, if you care about women and tamilies being able to make their own decisions based on their own values, please care enough to ACT

/ « Defend the hospital and its present policies by joining the North and West Van couver Hospital Society betore August 6 A majority Must vote Pro-Choice on

Make your CHOICE heard.

THE NORTH AND WEST VANCOUVER HOSPITAL SOCIETY FIFTEENTH STREET AT ST GEORGES NORTH VANCOUVER 8C

| |

1th IN NAMES,

ARR OE

servers Lone bene

Sponsored by the North Shore Association foe Chom e on Abortion Donations are urgently needed Delbrook Centre North Building 600 Ww For more intormation call 9806 6908

Please sent to nS AC A Queens Rd North

hair and is cut exactly as the hair falis. Comb and let dry or blow dry.

] Lite Membership $90 00 | New Annual Membership $5 00 ) Renew Annual Membership $5 00

Poo TAL COO

rot Neth wea ime Tae Le ae ceca BET Ot Merwe Intact

Vinee onavert

supply and demand for blood is one of them. Surely we can do some things which are not governed by money. Giving blood to help save lives is something for which I do not expect to be paid.

Jon Turpin North Vancouver

INCLUDES SHAMPOO & CONDITIONING WITH THIS AD

se el Expires duly 18

a 8 4 5 ' t a a 8 a 8 a 8 a 8 a 8 “4 8 8 8 § ' § § a a 8 0 5 a 0 a 10 AM-7PM '

660 Clyde Near Park Royal

Defend your hospital. Defend CHOICE.

It takes exceptional people to run Lions Gate Hospital, to provide a camplex array of health services for 140,000 people, all with varying needs and beliets. This will be even harder in future with more restraints on B.C hospitals. tn this climate, anti-choice groups (‘Pro-Life’) continue their efforts to control Lions Gate Hospital. They aim to elect a Board of Directors that will change present hospital policy and deny women legal, safe abortion under any circumstance Former

anti-choice Board members have involved the hospital in an expensive, disrup- tive lawsuit over its abortion policy

V7L 2L7

SoTL. Coe)

VIN tha