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More people are adopting pets

The number of stray animals that found homes to live in after being impounded in Port Coquitlam increased in 2010 over the year before, according to a staff report.

The number of stray animals that found homes to live in after being impounded in Port Coquitlam increased in 2010 over the year before, according to a staff report.

Figures from the 2010 animal control report showed that of the 87 dogs impounded, 68 were returned to their owners and 16 were adopted to families in the area. Of the 37 cats that were impounded, only six were returned, however 28 were adopted out.

"The impoundment and return numbers indicate that dogs have more value to their owners than do other animals, especially cats," said the report. "Notwithstanding the low return rate for impounded cats, it is noteworthy that in 2010 the pound-keeper was able to achieve a high rate of adoption on unreturned cats."

The numbers show a strong increase from 2009, where 16 cats and only 10 dogs were adopted after being impounded by animal control services. The report also found that, while the number of dog bites are down in PoCo, aggressive dog incidents have increased in 2010.

In 2009, 28 reports of dangerous animals were made, compared to 45 in 2010, however the number of dog bites decreased from eight to three during the same time period.

Dan Scoones, the manager of bylaw services, said the stats give city bylaw officials a better idea of what kind of incidents are taking place in the city and when they are more likely to occur.

One of the more significant cases involved a child who was bitten in the face at a home in Port Coquitlam. According to the 2010 Animal Control Report, the dog was from Coquitlam and the father of the child was instructed to contact that municipality's animal control service.

A mastiff was deemed an aggressive dog after it carried out its second attack on a letter carrier and the owner was given strict leash and muzzle conditions.

The third bite involved a Rottweiler, which bit a young woman in the face. The animal was voluntarily surrendered by its owner and sent by animal control to a veterinarian for euthanizing, according to the report.

While the more severe cases involved many of the same types of dogs, Scoones said there has been no discussions about banning certain breeds.

Breed bans, he added, are hard to enforce because many animals are crosses that can be difficult to categorize for bylaw purposes.

"People that want an aggressive dog... will just find another breed for that," Scoones said. "What we try and do is target the behaviour, not the breed."

gmckenna@tricitynews.com