City of Ottawa recruits distressed wildlife expert
By Jasmine Stamos
City of Ottawa bylaw enforcement officer Miriam Smith has just become a key figure in the lives of hundreds of unsuspecting critters — from mice to raccoons — inhabiting the capital.
Smith has been hired for a six-month term to provide hands-on training for fellow bylaw officers now responsible for dealing with injured and distressed wildlife. Smith previously worked at the Ottawa Humane Society for almost 27 years. Now, she’s teaching city bylaw officers how to handle their new duties.
“I’m pretty confident that with my experience and knowledge in this position, as well as doing hands-on training with the current officers — I don’t feel that there may be any change,” said Smith. “It may even be better, because there’s more officers out there than there were with Ottawa Humane Society.”
As a result of changes in how distressed animals are managed in the city, local residents are now asked to call the municipal hotline, 311, if they see an injured porcupine, a sick squirrel, or — as Smith once experienced — a raccoon stuck in a car bumper. Smith said the raccoon was eventually rescued from its predicament.
There are about 1,300 calls for distressed wildlife each year, which city employees will now handle. Smith was hired to train staff and assess the need for future resources. The city has also purchased equipment used to handle wildlife, including catch-all poles and nets.
“As far as I know, I’m the only (staffing) addition,” said Smith.
Michelle De Flaviis Vivas, a former animal care attendant with the Ottawa Humane Society, said the not-for-profit status of the society sometimes affected the resources available to respond to animals in need.
“You can tell that people are frustrated by that sometimes,” De Flaviis Vivas said. “We don’t have the amount of money to save everyone.”
The OHS will still treat sick and injured wildlife delivered to them by the city during daytime hours. At night, the animals will be brought by city staff to a veterinary clinic.
Melissa Kosowan, acting associate director of communications at the Ontario Society for the Protection of Animals, said the city’s animals will continue to be well-cared for despite the change in what organizations handles the response.
“The welfare of animals is our priority and we want to reassure you that animals in Ottawa continue to be protected under the law,” Kosowan says.
While calls for injured or distressed small animals should be directed to 311, calls dealing with larger animals such as deer or bears should be directed to the Ottawa police.
Calls for domestic animals in immediate danger can go to Ottawa police or the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
