Langley Township terminates agreement with animal protection society amid pit bull case

The Langley Animal Protection Society is seen in this photo from its website (lapsbc.ca)

The Langley Animal Protection Society, which has worked with the township for 23 years, providing animal control and sheltering services, will soon no longer be filling those roles.

In a statement posted on its website and social media channels Wednesday, LAPS said the Township of Langley is terminating the agreement between the parties and directing the society to turn over its leased facilities by Oct. 10.

“These facilities include the Patti Dale Animal Shelter, which currently shelters more than 350 dogs and farm animals, and the purpose-built ISOasis cat shelter, which cares for more than 450 cats annually,” the society’s statement reads.

“Both facilities are synonymous with LAPS: the Patti Dale Animal Shelter is named after our founder, and LAPS oversaw the construction of the ISOasis, which was built with more than $360,000 in donor funding.”

The society said it had “no prior indication” that the township intended to “wholly terminate” its use of LAPS services. It described the news as an “abrupt change in direction” from the township and said the move had been made “without sufficient notice for appropriate transition.”

In its own statement on the matter, published Thursday, the township framed the change as aligned with council direction from 2024 that instructed staff to “bring animal control services under direct township oversight.”

“The township values its long-standing relationship with LAPS and recognizes its contributions to animal welfare in the community over many years,” reads the municipality’s statement.

“In recognition of that relationship, the township had pursued discussions with LAPS about a new, sheltering-only agreement. However, despite more than a year of good-faith negotiations, a new agreement could not be reached.”

The township’s decision comes a little more than two weeks after it and LAPS found themselves in provincial court over the society’s seizure of a pit bull named Enzo, whose owners claim he was wrongly accused of biting and seriously injuring a contractor.

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In late August, the court found that LAPS animal control officers acted reasonably and did not use excessive force when apprehending Enzo, but ruled the society had made errors in its application for a warrant to seize the dog.

The court deemed the seizure invalid as a result of these issues.

In its statement on terminating its agreement with LAPS, the township invoked “recent legal proceedings” that it said highlight “challenges associated with the third-party service delivery model.”

“These developments underscore the importance of delivering animal control services under clear municipal authority, with strong oversight and accountability,” the township said, while promising a “smooth and effective transition of services from LAPS.”

“The township has already taken steps to assume responsibility for animal control services and is advancing operational planning to ensure continuity of sheltering services, consistent with council’s direction,” the township said. “Residents can expect uninterrupted service throughout this transition.”

LAPS, for its part, disputes that assertion.

“LAPS is deeply concerned about the continuity of care for the animals we support,” the society’s statement reads.

“LAPS has not received a plan for transitioning the animals currently in our care nor for the scope of services that will be provided to the community.”

The society said it is “especially concerned about the vulnerability of cats,” which are not included in the township’s animal control bylaw and are cared for entirely through donations, at a cost of $350,000 annually, according to LAPS.

“Township of Langley residents deserve uninterrupted and continued excellence in animal welfare services, and it is our sincere hope they continue to receive this,” the society said. “LAPS is evaluating all available options, and we will be communicating our concerns to the township directly.”

The society said it is “committed to continuing to serve Greater Langley with compassion and integrity,” and encouraged community members to continue donating and volunteering. It also asked them to email the township’s mayor and council to voice their support for LAPS.