A letter to the editor published on this page is a stark reminder to our newsroom of the need to attribute information, and also to dig a little deeper beyond what is fed to us by media relations personnel.
In the public's eye, the line that separates the City of North Battleford's bylaw enforcement corps and the Battlefords Humane Society is a grey one. A lack of due diligence in a story last week about problems with a parvo virus infection at the society's facility has left the impression that the society is advocating euthanizing impounded pets. That is not the case.
While the release clearly states, "the humane society may have no choice but to euthanize" impounded animals that cannot be returned to their owners during the time the society's impound area is closed to prevent further spread of the infection, that statement is clearly attributed to Senior Special Constable Ross MacAngus, not the humane society.
A call to the humane society would have clarified matters, but that call was not made.
We regret any harm this may have caused to the society's reputation and work within the community.
