Got a problem with skunks on your property once that snow melts and the critters venture out from their burrows?
Well, don’t bother calling the town this year as they’ve deemed it’s not the best use of staff time to do so anymore.
In a report to council Monday night, Rick Hallam, supervisor of the Planning and Development division, said the Planning and Development executive committee recently discussed the issue of continuing to assist homeowners with the removal of nuisance skunks, primarily during the summer and early fall.
“Presently, the By-Law Enforcement department, upon receiving a call from a property owner regarding a nuisance skunk, will respond by delivering a town-owned trap to the property owner and instructing them on its proper use,” said Hallam.
“If successful in the attempt to trap the skunk, the officer will return and retrieve the trap and skunk and then release the offending animals out of town, usually at the dump,” he added.
“[But] the Planning and Development executive committee believe that this practice is not the best use of officer time and should be discontinued.”
Hallam said it all boils down to residents having to take care of their own property, and being more aware that skunks are a potential nuisance in this area.
“People will have to be more cognizant of their garbage, and be more cognizant of holes in their decks and other places where skunks might want to make their homes in,” he remarked.
“If you don’t provide them with food or with a place to go, they’ll move along.”
Council unanimously approved the report, and directed staff to discontinue the practice of assisting property owners with the removal of nuisance skunks.
The town will advertise this change in policy in the next few months when skunks start prowling around local neighbourhoods again.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
