A property in Fort Resolution has close to 25 dogs living in poor conditions, according to the NWT branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

NWT SPCA president Nicole Spencer said there have not been allegations of mistreatment of the dogs, but there have been calls made to the society that the dogs are living in unsanitary conditions and the smell from the property SA国际影视传媒� right in the middle of the hamlet SA国际影视传媒� is affecting people in the community.

Spencer says she has heard from three residents that this has been a problem going on for years.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey say itSA国际影视传媒檚 so bad that they canSA国际影视传媒檛 even open their windows SA国际影视传媒� the stench is so bad,SA国际影视传媒� says Spencer.

Spencer says sheSA国际影视传媒檚 been told thereSA国际影视传媒檚 standing water and feces throughout the property.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople ISA国际影视传媒檝e spoken to, of course, they say itSA国际影视传媒檚 horrible conditions to be living in, so they feel bad for the dogs,SA国际影视传媒� says Spencer.

Hamlet senior administrative officer Tausia Kaitu'u-Lal says the hamlet has begun working on a solution to the situation with the owners.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have just started to work on figuring out what weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to do,SA国际影视传媒� said Kaitu'u-Lal on Friday afternoon.

Close to press deadline on Friday, Spencer told News/North that she had just received a message from the GNWTSA国际影视传媒檚 Environmental Health division saying a solution was in the works to move the dogs to a property outside of Fort Resolution within the year, and that the owners are waiting now for the land to dry up after spring melt.

News/North could not confirm the owners of the property by press time.

Deninu Kue First Nation Chief Louis Balsillie wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 available by press time.

The NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 Dog Act prohibits dog owners or caretakers from allowing their animals to cause or allow their dog to be in distress, and allows bylaw officers to enter the property SA国际影视传媒� but not the home SA国际影视传媒� in which dogs are in distress, and to take custody of the animals.

Under the act, a dog is also considered abandoned if left without adequate food, water or shelter for 24 hours, and at this point an officer may take it into custody whether or not it appears to be in distress.