News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes

Debbie Wood is a new face at the City of Williams Lake as Animal Control Officer, but there is nothing new about her care and concern for animals and their owners. She brings years of experience in related fields to her new job, as well as ideas, vision and goals to help make Williams Lake a great place for pets and their owners.

(Photo: Debbie Wood, new Parking/Animal Control Officer for the City of Williams Lake, brings a balance of new vision and extensive experience to the job.)

Her background and experience in animal control give her unique qualifications for her job with the city. She started working at her local dog pound in Alberta when she was 12 years old, and said that she got to ‘hang out’ with the first Rottweiler raiser/trainer in Canada. Over the years she did professional dog showing, handling and obedience training, worked for the SCPA as a Special Constable, did dog sled racing, worked at a vet clinic and was a Bylaw Enforcement Officer for dog control for six years.

When she moved to Williams Lake five years ago, Debbie worked at Pioneer Log Homes, United Concrete and Mt. Polley Mine.

Back in the field of animal control now for about four months, Debbie said that she sees a real need for education and awareness in some crucial areas. “There are far too many dogs put down before the age of two. We’re not addressing the problem—we’re covering it up,” she explained. “We need ‘spay and neuter’ clinics here once a month, we need more education in the area of dog aggression and we need to start educating in schools.”

Debbie stated that the number of dog licenses issued in Williams Lake has increased, and that she sees that as a positive step. “If a dog is hit by a vehicle, a license means that we can find the owner immediately. If a dog with a license is dropped off at the vet, we can send the dog home and the owner doesn’t have to pay the impound fees,” she continued.

She said that one of the main problems with dog owners in Williams Lake is people not researching a breed before they take on an animal. “This is especially true with ‘working dogs’ like Shepherds, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls and Malamutes,” she said. “I wish more people would educate themselves and make sure they have the money to maintain a certain breed.”

Finding the appropriate breed for your lifestyle is another crucial step to getting the right dog, according to Debbie. “You get into all kinds of problems if you’re not giving them regular exercise---on a leash or on a treadmill---not just running loose,” she explained.

“There are no areas in the City of Williams Lake where you can have your dog off-leash: I think there needs to be a group that people can join to walk their dogs together.”

Another goal for Debbie is improving the licensing numbers and on getting proper statistics for aggressive dogs in Williams Lake.

Brad McRae, Senior Bylaw Officer said that the city has a zero-tolerance for aggressive dogs, but that it’s not a breed problem---it’s a problem with individual dogs regardless of their breed and their owners.

“In cities across the board, both in Canada and the US, breed-specific legislation doesn’t work,” Debbie stated. “What we have to do is start targeting individual owners who are irresponsible with any dog.”

Debbie added that taking care of your dog and maintaining it throughout the stages of its life is a crucial part of being a good dog owner. “Dogs are like people and have different stages of their lives. When you get past the puppy stage, you need to do more training when your dog is a ‘teenager’ and when they’re older, their needs, abilities and reactions are different, too,” she explained.

For more information about animal control in Williams Lake, including licensing your pet, or dog aggression concerns in your neighbourhood, phone Debbie at 250-392-1791 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

| More...