ANIMAL CONTROL
Annual Report 2001

INTRODUCTION:

The Animal Control Officer maintains the safety and welfare of pets and their owners by enforcing the City ordinances regarding animals and providing information to the public on important issues concerning animals.

CURRENT PROGRAMS/SERVICES:

The following services are performed by the Animal Control Officer:

• Provide traps for catching cats and wildlife
• Pick up animals caught
• Impound loose dogs
• Rabies vaccination and tax enforcement
• Investigate all complaints regarding animals
• Issue citations and attend court
• Inspect pet stores
• Pick up and dispose of dead animals
• Report animal bites to the Health Department and enforce quarantines
• Provide 24 hour emergency service for life or health threatening situations
• Give advice on animals in general

The City of Morgantown also has a spay/neuter program that provides low income residents free spaying or neutering for up to 4 cats per household. Coupons may be obtained from the Animal Control Officer.

RESOURCES:

The Animal Control Department has one S-10 Pick up with a specialized cover and one Officer that works 30 regular hours a week and is on call for emergencies.

PAST YEARS ACTIVITIES:

From January to November the Animal Control Officer received an average of 121 calls per month. This is a 21% increase from 2000. Most calls were for dogs at large and wildlife problems. The Animal Control Officer also picked up 72 dogs at large, 48 cats, 31 wild animals, and 61 dead animals, and issued 16 citations. There was an overall increase in the number of animals picked up and wildlife impounds went up 35% from 2000.

Rabies is still here. However, there have been only 3 cases this year in the county and none in the City limits. The State is participating in the oral rabies bait program that will be a combined effort between Ohio, New York, and Vermont and cover the area from the Great Lakes to the State border including the Northern Panhandle. The bait drops are supposed to start in the spring of 2002. There were 2 dogs declared dangerous and they were removed from the City limits.

FORECAST FOR 2002:

The key to lowering animal complaints is education. I plan to talk to students, parents, and teachers this year to help them understand the importance of spaying, neutering, vaccinating pets, the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty, and how to have a peaceful coexistence with wild and domestic animals.

SUMMARY:

The Animal Control Department offers service and advice on all aspects regarding animal issues, from routine problems like dogs barking and running loose, to complex problems like wildlife and rabies control. The Animal Control Officer will continue to handle all calls promptly so that the community will have the service and protection to make Morgantown a safe and pleasurable place to live.