City ordering home owners to fix bat issue
By GILLIAN SLADE on July 20, 2019.
An uninhabited property at 1118 Dominion Street is harbouring a colony of bats in the attic. A neighbour, who can no longer use their backyard, has observed the bats using about four small entry points and this one shows bat excrement on the siding near the entrance. -- NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADEgslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
The city has served the property owners of a vacant house on Dominion Street SE with an order to address the issue of a bat infestation and more.
The Unsightly Property Order under Section 546 (1) of the Municipal Government Act instructs the property owners to take reasonable measures to control the pest infestation, specifically bats “as they are becoming detrimental to surrounding areas and a danger to public safety”. The order also requires weed control and the removal of dead trees plus an inoperable and unregistered vehicle in addition to garbage.
The order addresses the concerns a neighbour has expressed. The number of bats has increased significantly to the point they are no longer able to enjoy their own back yard. They are fearful to allow the dog outside in case it is bitten by a rabid bat and each morning surfaces in the yard must be wiped to remove bat feces.
“I really hope these people (property owners) will do something,” said Miranda Broadist.
After years of owning the home next door to the property in question Broadist had become frustrated in trying to get the situation addressed.
She told the News on Friday that she feels the death of a man in Vancouver this week, who had rabies after contact with a bat, may have driven home the seriousness of the situation.
Supt. Heather Trail, bylaw enforcement, inspected the property at 1118 Dominion Street SE on Thursday along with Alberta Health Services, fire services and the safety codes department.
“It was determined by all, including the City Solicitor, that an Unsightly Property Order should be issued due to the appearance of the property and the fact that the property had become detrimental to the surrounding area,” reads a press release.
The actions in the Order must be carried out by Aug. 21. The owner may appeal the Order within 14 days.
“Although this is not a common type of unsightly property file, it was evident that the vacant property was causing concerns for some neighbours. There was an excessive amount of bat feces on the property and it was spreading to other surrounding homes occupied by families. It was determined that the constant need to clean the bat feces, along with the lack of freedom to enjoy their yard in the evenings, was detrimental to the neighboring properties,” states the press release.
Bylaw will inspect the property on or after Aug. 21 to determine if further action if necessary.
Broadist says this is the first step and she hope it will lead to a complete resolution so that she and her family can enjoy their own property once more.
