Animal Control Care Corner

These past few weeks we have had some interesting and different calls pertaining to dogs running loose and animal control officers handling complaint issues in different towns.
Let me begin by saying that these calls for the most part are valid concerns by town citizens. They are mainly looking for some long overdue help with issues and they are generally feeling let down and frustrated with every avenue they take. I am not singling out anyone or any town; I am just trying to generally put everything into one ball and then trying to give evidence for all concerned.
First, for those who may not know, any dogs, anywhere, that run off their owner’s property for any reason, even their closest neighbor, are in violation of running at large. There is no excuse like “He just ran over there for a minute” or “They never said they didn’t want him over there.” It does not matter. It’s not their dog, it is yours, and you are responsible for all of its actions and its control.
I have said this before, over and over, but I guess I have to repeat it again because this is a major complaint everywhere: Keep your dog leashed and under control when you are off your own property. This is the first part of a two-part complaint I have heard over and over.
The second part is when these dogs are running, the citizens are worried and concerned that these same dogs are not licensed and also have not been immunized for any diseases such as rabies. Let me tell you, these complaints are the number-one reason that there is animal control. Everyone, no matter who, must immunize their animals when due, no excuses. Number two, everyone has to license their animals when due. This shows or provides proof that those animals were immunized and would provide some relief for those concerned. I don’t know if this advice helps the callers or citizens or not, but maybe some of the right people will read it and act on it.
The next part of this article consists of the complaints not being handled. I have been told, and I also have firsthand knowledge of this, that no matter who they call, meaning the animal control officer or their town, they are not being taken seriously or the complaints are falling on deaf ears. Some have also said they have called the Office of the Director of Animal Welfare and have been told to send their complaints in by certified mail so there would be a record of it. Then, if no action is taken, they would have to call Animal Welfare again.
This is only my opinion, people, but this is wrong. Someone is dropping the ball here, and it is not the citizens. If you have a computer, go on the Animal Welfare site. Look up the laws governing the towns and the officers. There will be enough information to help you understand what to do next when you reach a dead end on your complaint. Animal Welfare also has agents who handle these types of complaints, so do not take no as an answer. All animal complaints have to be handled by an animal control officer, unless it is something like checking to see if an animal is licensed, which the town office can do. If the animal is not licensed, then the town has a responsibility to send that officer out to gain more information and possibly issue a summons. Some have been told that they are too busy or they can’t afford to send an officer out all the time, or the officer just doesn’t come out.
Yes, you are right, this is not the way it’s supposed to be done. It is completely wrong on their part. All I can tell you is not to give up. These are your rights and you pay for this through your taxes. I can also say that this is just a few, creating a problem for all. I would like everyone to remember the saying, “One bad apple does not make the whole basket bad.”
At this time I would like to say than on behalf of almost all of the animal control officers and their respective towns, we apologize for the few making bad decisions, and we will strive to serve you better and do our part. Again, I don’t know if this advice will help, but hopefully the right ones will see and act accordingly. Stay informed and stay vigilant.
Thanks for reading.
 Joe Rodweller of Linneus, a certified animal control officer and member of the Maine Animal Control Association, operates Maine Animal Control with his wife Debbie. He can be reached at 538-1347 or via e-mail at debjoe347@yahoo.com.