Timmins will take over animal control services April 1

As CTV News reported earlier this month, the City of Timmins is taking back control of complaints from the public about animals.

Timmins council voted a recent meeting to implement the change effective April 1.

Timmins clerk Steph Palmateer said animal control services will not operate 24/7, but some weekend coverage will be provided. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Anyone with a complaint or concern about an animal will need to contact the city. The city has decided not to renew its contract with PADS-K9, the service provider currently taking the calls.

"The service itself won't change," said Steph Palmateer, clerk for the City of Timmins.

"It's still going to be complaint-based so we'll be responding to complaints from the residents regarding various animal control issues, whether it be things like animals at large or, you know, bites and things like that."

Palmateer said it’s been more than a decade since the city has managed animal control services. One and half employees will be added to the bylaw department and they’ll receive animal control bylaw training.

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"We won't be operating 24/7, but yes, we will be receiving calls during regular business hours," Palmateer said.

"We will have some weekend coverage."

Palmateer said pound services will remain at the Timmins and District Humane Society. The animal control service costs the city around $84,000.