The BC SPCA met with the District of Oak Bay to discuss their concerns regarding the Deer Management Strategy population reduction decision.

The District of Oak Bay (the District) met with representatives from BC SPCA on February 18 to discuss their concerns regarding language in the Request for Proposal that dealt with operational protocols and the methodology of capture and euthanize. 

Upon review, the BC SPCA confirmed that our capture and euthanize methodology would not be an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. The District of Oak Bay is confident in the professionalism and experience of the contractor who will work with the Provincial Wildlife veterinarian and the District on this initiative.

The BC SPCA has legal enforcement oversight concerning the “How” (our methodology of capture and euthanize) not the”Why” (the decision to proceed with population reduction as a component of the municipality’s deer management strategy). The SPCA’s objections to the Why fulfills their role of important advocacy reflecting the sentiments of their members. While we respect their views, we are proceeding. We thank the BC SPCA for clarifying with us that our capture and euthanize methodology as presented would not be an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.