April 21, 2008 - (Eagle
Times) -
"Sheriff
seeks animal control summit in Windham County" - (Return
to News)
Sheriff
seeks animal control summit in Windham County
Dan Bustard
Staff Reporter
Monday, April 21, 2008
ROCKINGHAM - Windham County Sheriff Keith Clark
isn't pleased with the animal control situation in the towns he serves
and wants to meet with all 29 communities to talk about it.
"It's not working," Clark said last week while discussing with
Rockingham officials the animal control contract the sheriff's
department has with the town, a contract that was not renewed for this
fiscal year. "I'm willing to try anything," he said.
The sheriff, a former Bellows Falls police chief, hopes to set up a
meeting by the middle of May to deal with a situation he said stands at
a crossroads where the sheriff's department either goes "all in or not
do it at all."
The problems appear to be twofold about this "growing situation." Clark
said deputies are being called to situations that are not related to
animal control, whether it is more of a noise complaint or something
more serious like animal cruelty that could lead to criminal charges.
He also said his department has 22 animal control ordinances to deal
with and he wants a uniform ordinance to make the job easier to perform.
"They don't have an interest in playing dog catcher," said Clark about
his deputies, and he admitted to not being interested in all animal
control situations himself.
"I don't do snakes," he said.
Selectwoman Ann DiBernardo said there is a strong need for proper
training and the expense of giving deputies pre-rabies shots and having
a vehicle that can handle any animal.
Chairman Tom MacPhee said he knows many dogs are not licensed in
Rockingham, but he was unsure how many.
Clark said the sheriff's department is fielding more calls, prompting
him to request each town in Windham County to send a representative to
the animal control meeting he plans to hold next month.
Dan Bustard can be reached at (802) 885-1707, or by e-mail at dbustard@eagletimes.com.
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