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BATTLEFORD — Two Battleford residents voiced their concerns over dogs-at-large they fear will injure someone in letters presented to council at their Monday, May 1 meeting.

“I have increasing concerns regarding the town’s ability to adequately take care of issues that arise for residents, with just one safety officer,” reads a letter from one such concerned resident. 

She describes a rogue dog on her street, hoping that Battleford could get its own CSOs to resolve the issue after several phone calls to the town office haven’t fixed the problem. 

“I’d like to feel like my safety concerns are going to be taken care of in a more prompt manner. I do believe this change could help,” she said later on.

Another resident feared that the large brindle pit bull mix running loose on her street, which has become increasingly frequent, may attack as she believes it has shown aggression. 

“While I have no ill will towards pit bulls, I do fear for the safety of my children with such a large dog with proven aggression issues running around … should this dog attack or injure my children or even my own dog, the town council will be almost as responsible as the dog owner at this point in time,” reads the letter.

"It should not have to come to serious injury for this issue to be taken seriously."

“That’s our first look at that letter, but obviously, we’re going to follow up as a group right now,” Deputy Mayor Alexis Christensen said to the News-Optimist following Monday's council meeting.

“... we just want to make sure we have something in place if you’re calling several times, who are they calling? Do we have the right number? Do they have Ross’s number, our PSO, because he has his own line,” she said. 

“... we obviously need to communicate that a little better.”

Dogs are not allowed to roam free in Battleford.

“My kids are out on their bikes too. I certainly will follow up and make sure we’re providing the right information and following up with people too," Christensen added.