ANIMAL CONTROL
Phone: (203)271-5590
Animal Control Officer – April Leiler
Assistant Animal Control Officer – Norma Charette
The Cheshire Animal Shelter is open Sundays 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday and Tuesday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Wednesday through Friday 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Saturdays 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The Municipal Animal Control Office is staffed by two officers, one full time, and one part time, who are assisted by a group of civilian volunteers who help to place animals with adoptive families. These officers are not regular members of the Police Department, but are appointed as Animal Control Officers under the jurisdiction of the Police Department. Animal Control Officers have the authority to issue summonses.
The Animal Control facility is a fully equipped building for care and boarding of up to 18 dogs. The facility is limited to indoor boarding to prevent excessive noise and odor in surrounding neighborhoods.
In addition to building equipment and supplies, Animal Control Officers have at their disposal a van equipped to handle complaints in the field. Officers carry a portable radio, various supplies for protection from blood born and air born pathogens, and a rifle for disposal of sick or dangerous animals.
The primary responsibility of Animal Control Officers is presently the prevention of the spread of rabies. They investigate complaints of potential rabid animals, destroy sick animals, facilitate testing of suspected rabid animals, enforce vaccination requirements for domestic animals, and create and disseminate public information and advisories.
The secondary responsibilities include investigating animal bite complaints, impounding stray dogs, examining dog licenses for validity and/or delinquency, completing an animal survey to insure compliance with dog licensing laws, examining injured/mistreated animals and obtaining veterinary care, maintaining records and making reports, and appearing in court relative to dog cases.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW AND WHEN SHOULD I LICENSE MY DOG?
When your dog is six months or old, or between June 1st and June 30th of every year (whichever comes first) you should bring your dog's current rabies vaccination certificate and neuter/spay certificate to the town clerk's office at the town hall. The cost is $6 per sterilized dog and $16 per unsterilized dog. You can also get your dog licensed through the mail by sending the above information and money to the attention of the town clerk at the town hall.
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL DEPARTMENT?
Public Safety:
We respond to reports of sick or injured wildlife and dispose of animals exhibiting signs or symptoms of rabies.
Law Enforcement:
We respond to complaints regarding nuisance (barking/vicious), roaming or unlicensed dogs and enforce state statutes regarding the keeping of dogs. We also enforce the state statute dictating the vaccination of cats and dogs over twelve weeks old against rabies.
Animal Care and Placement:
We provide daily care for impounded dogs and adopt out unclaimed stray dogs to appropriate new homes.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT A CAREER WORKING WITH ANIMALS?
Contact your local community college or even the guidance counselor at your local high school for education opportunities involving animal related careers.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SEE A WILD ANIMAL IN MY YARD?
If the animal is a nocturnal animal such as a raccoon or skunk and it is in your yard in broad daylight, report it to animal control or the police department. An officer will respond, observe the animal's behavior and determine whether the animal should be disposed of or not. If the animal is acting normally and is just passing through or using your yard, leave the animal alone. Be sure your children and pets do not come into contact with any wild animal.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY CHILD OF PET COMES INTO CONTACT WITH A WILD ANIMAL?
If your child or pet does come into contact with a wild animal, notify animal control immediately. The animal, if possible, will be killed and tested for rabies.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A DOG OR CAT BITES ME?
Get the owner's name, address and telephone number. Notify animal control or the police department immediately. If the animal is not with an owner and the ownership of the animal is unknown, try to follow the animal so that animal control will be able to impound the animal for quarantine. If the bite occurred on the owner's property and the animal has a current rabies vaccine, the animal will be quarantined on the owner's property for fourteen days. If the bite occurred off the owner's property or if the animal does not have a current rabies vaccination, quarantine will be at the animal shelter or at a licensed commercial vet or kennel at the owner's expense.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY FAMILY IS READY TO ADOPT A DOG OR CAT?
Adding a dog or cat to your family should be a carefully considered decision. Think back to the last month or six months of your family's activities and trips. Do you have the time and resources necessary to care for an additional member of the family? Pets need daily attention, special food and yearly veterinary care (or more often if there is an injury or illness). Children cannot be relied upon to provide the necessary care a pet requires so parents should be aware that the responsibility will be theirs, no matter what the child says as he/she is hopping up and down in front of the cage at the pound.
WHAT KIND OF ANIMAL SHOULD WE ADOPT?
When the decision to adopt has been reached, a trip to the library and/or a consultation with your chosen veterinarian or local animal control officer is a good idea. Adoption counselors at your local shelter or humane society can steer you toward an appropriate choice if you have an idea of the type of dog you are looking for when you go in. Considerations such as the size of your home, the amount of time you can dedicate to the pet and the ages of your children and grandchildren should all be taken into account when choosing your new family member.
Contact a member of the Animal Control Office for information about wildlife help on the WEB.
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