BIGGAR — Just weeks after the Animal Protective Services of Saskatchewan (APSS) decided not to press charges against the Town of Biggar after the municipality admitted to dumping stray cats outside town limits, Kimberly Paulsen has been motivated to spark change in the community.
Frankie, Paulsen's cat, went missing on July 14. Despite her mental health suffering during the experience, she's mounted a vocal social media campaign via Facebook and a that has now reached over 800 signatures in a town with a population of just over 2000 — all in the hopes that greater change will come of it.
“Frankie was my everything, she was just the best, she was hilarious, and regardless,” Paulsen paused, apologizing for crying over the phone during an emotional interview with SASKTODAY.ca earlier in August.
“Regardless [of] whatever happened to her, I know that this will at least save the lives of many other animals."
Originally, as explained in a previous article, Paulsen was told that the Town of Biggar, where she's lived for over a year, knew the location of her missing cat, she visited town hall where she spoke with Amanda Flasch, the town’s assistant administrator. Flasch admitted that when a stray cat is found in a trap, it is collected and checked for a collar and tag but not scanned for microchips before being removed from the Town of Biggar in violation of the town's bylaws.
When asked by Paulsen what the town’s process is regarding relocating animals, Flasch, according to an audio recording of the conversation, said,
“Our [inaudible] staff remove the animals.”
“What does that mean?” Paulsen asked.
“They’re relocated outside of our town boundaries.”
“So they’re just left outside of our town boundaries?” Paulsen asked.
“Yup … anything that is caught in a trap is considered an animal at large as well, which by our bylaw is also a ticketable offence,” Flasch added.
Paulsen noted that she'd happily pay a fine if she got her cat back. When asked what paperwork is done or what proper channels are followed to ensure someone's pet, possibly missing its collar, is not discarded, Flasch said,
“Exactly what I just told you … it’s relocated.”
When Paulsen pressed Flasch as to why the town doesn’t care if animals are dropped outside of town limits, knowing the animal would be left to face the elements, other dangers, predators, and possibly death, she said, “That is your opinion … at this point, there is no way to trace that that cat, that was relocated, was yours.”
Investigating Animal Abuse Allegations
In July and August, the town came under fire both from residents and APSS, with Don Ferguson issuing a statement to SASKTODAY.ca via email, explaining the nature of the responsibility of caring for trapped cats under the Animal Protection Act.
"Cats are not to be relocated (example: moved to farms, across town, abandoned in the country, or destroyed.). Abandoning animals is an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada, and killing other people's cats is prohibited under the Criminal Code," read the statement.
Later that month, Ferguson said that at the conclusion of the investigation, the town would not face charges for their practice.
“I can confirm that APSS was satisfied with the compliance and education that had taken place and no charges will be laid,” Ferguson said.
“As no charges will be laid I cannot provide comment regarding the details of the investigation as these are never made public,” he added.
When asked by SASKTODAY.ca if the Town of Biggar can commit to stopping this practice of abandoning cats outside town limits and if they can commit to following a newly updated bylaw this time, an email from town CAO, Marty Baroni noted that town council concluded their bylaw was not properly followed by the parties responsible for its enforcement.
The email went on to say, “This matter was taken seriously, and corrective measures have been undertaken to inform the responsible parties on the proper procedures … please note that Animal Protection Services has already been in contact with the Town and their input and recommendations were implemented in the new bylaw.”
When again asked to clarify if the town will commit on the record to not continuing their practice of removing cats, committing to following this updated bylaw, or committing to scanning for microchips, the town told SASKTODAY.ca, that
"This case is not before the courts, and you have our statement in quotations in my previous email below if you choose to complete your article."
Will there be justice for Frankie?
Now Paulsen, who noted that this has happened to others living in Biggar, pledges to continue fighting for the rights of animals in Biggar and beyond.
“I think it's absolutely disgusting … to not only have an admittance from somebody in the town, and then to investigate something like this, and our protection officers of animals are just going to let it slide?” Paulsen said.
But despite the actions of the town, recent media coverage has led to other missing cats being located due in part to the cooperation of local farmers who have been taking pictures of cats they find near their properties.
Frankie, at this point, has not been located.
“In my understanding, this had been an issue long before I brought it up … I've had lots of people come to me, warning me that going after the town can be dangerous. I've had people come to me stating that the town has bullied them ... people [come] to me stating that they never knew what happened with their cat. And this has not necessarily given them closure, but at least given them an answer to what may have happened," Paulsen said.
“I'm definitely feeling more motivated to get a Frankie's Legacy Facebook page, and all the information out there so it's easier for everybody to see share, like, inform, educate.”
Paulsen also worries that aren’t doing enough and could leave the law up to even more interpretation.
“It still has not mentioned anything about microchips or scanning them. It doesn't clarify where our pound is ... not only does that speak volumes to our rural area, but that's basically encouraging poor behaviour from every other rural community across Canada.”
The Town of Biggar has not responded to questions regarding the investigation.
