DOG OFFICER

 

 

To the Board of Health:

 

Approximately 37 dogs were picked-up and placed in Porter Road Pet Care, and 4 dogs were euthanized.  Most dogs went back to their original owners, or went to a dog rescue.  Most others were adopted into new homes.

 

We have had many reports of leash law violations, barking dog complaints and lost dog calls.  Please call if you have questions or need to report a dog problem.

 

If you lose a dog please call and report it.  The first 24 hours are the most crucial when a dog is lost.  I will be happy to direct you in the best way to relocate your dogs.  The best way not to lose your dog is still to contain or leash them properly and not leave an unleashed dog unattended on your property.  Tags are imperative to a lost dog.  A Rabies Tag, ID Tag and a License is the best weapon against euthanasia.  An untagged injured dog will be taken to a animal hospital without ID.  Many of these dogs are put down because there is no one to speak for them.  Tags mean a quicker return.  This year more dogs have been found with no tags or collars.  Please be more diligent about tags in the coming year.  Your dog’s life depends on it.

Licensing your dog yearly is mandatory.  Currant rabies shots need to be in place.  This guarantees a safer environment for all pets.  Rabies can be contracted from both blood contact and saliva contact.  A bite or scratch from a rabid animal can give a pet or person a possible case of rabies, a disease if untreated will cause death.

 

Please bring dogs in if they are barking for more than a few minutes.  Be respectful of neighbor’s rights to peace and quiet.

 

Remember there are leash laws and feces removal laws.  Please obey them.  The dog must be walked on a leash if off your property.  Do not let your dog run loose on property it has no permission to be on.  If you are not controlling your dog, you don’t know where it is depositing fecal matter.  Be respectful of other people’s property.

 

Thanks to all the dog owners who have continued to be responsible pet owners.  Nothing makes a dog officer happiest than a well-kept dog.  Thank you to the staff at Porter Road Pet Care, who cared for strays.  Thanks to the many rescues who helped place stray dogs and provided extra ordinary health care to strays in need.  Thank you to the Board of Selectmen, the employees of both the Selectmen’s Office and Town Clerk’s Office who are instrumental in helping me do my job.  Thanks to the Police Officers who take the calls at the Police Department and pass them on to me.  Everyone has been very supportive and that makes my job a little nicer.

 

I hope to be serving the residents of this Town for a long time to come.  It’s an honor and a privilege to live and work for such a nice place as East Longmeadow.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Natalie Rice, Dog Officer