Resolution No. 7-06A

WHEREAS, Section 2(b) of The Stray Animals Act includes domestic elk and buffalo; and

WHEREAS, impounding an elk or buffalo is virtually impossible without proper handling facilities which are not readily available; and

WHEREAS, Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food regulates game farms and has Provincial Game Farm Investigators on staff;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food take full responsibility for stray domestic elk and buffalo; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any reference to elk and buffalo be removed from The Stray Animals Act.

Response from Honourable Mark Wartman, Minister of Agriculture and Food:

The Stray Animals Act and The Stray Animals Regulations, 1999, are in place providing authorities to municipalities for dealing with stray animals, including domestic game farm animals. The authorities, in part provide rural municipalities the power to address a range of issues including minimum fencing requirements, a process and circumstances for which dangerous or valueless strays may be destroyed, provisions for pound keepers and provisions outlining associated fees and penalties. If SARM has any specific observations or recommendations regarding improving The Stray Animals Act, we would welcome the comments.