Bert the shih tzu is back home.
The tiny dog was re-united with the Setter family on Tuesday morning at Red Deer’s Alberta Animal Services.
The animal control operator adopted the family pet out shortly after it had disappeared from their backyard.
Colleen Setter picked up Bert after receiving a phone call from Alberta Animal Services to say that the family, which had adopted him and had him for more than a week, had decided not to keep him.
She said the pooch, which has a brother named Buddy, was “excited, happy and confused” when she picked him up.
“I thought we would never see him again,” said Setter. “I want to thank the family for having a change of heart and taking such good care of him.”
Alberta Animal Services also did a good job of mediating with the family, Setter said.
Legally, Alberta Animal Services only has to wait 72 hours before the pet is considered its property, so it can be euthanized, put up for adoption or transferred to another centre. That’s if they don’t have a microchip or tattoo or, in the case of a dog, a licence.
The City of Red Deer contracts the company to provide animal control. City of Red Deer Inspections and Licensing manager Howard Thompson said earlier that Alberta Animal Services acted within the guidelines of the city dog bylaw.
Setter said she learned some valuable lessons as a result of losing her dog. At the time of its disappearance on July 17, it didn’t have its collar on because it just had a bath.
“It’s so important to have your dog licensed or tattooed or microchipped,” said Setter.
Setter said both of her dogs are now licensed, as of Tuesday.
Bert was microchipped by the family that had adopted him. Setter is microchipping Buddy.
She is also paying a bill of $620 in neutering, microchipping and adoption fees that will be returned to the family. The remaining $500 is paid in city fines for having her dog running at large, and not having a licence.
Alberta Animal Services runs a good pet adoption program, Setter said.
“It’s just that this was an unfortunate situation.”
The dog control bylaw needs to be amended, she added.
“I think the length of time that they adopt or euthanize should be changed,” said Setter. “And their fees are outrageous.”
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com