Animal Control in Lackawanna

Senate bill S2409-2011: Provides for the training, examination and certification of dog control officers. This 2011 bill was introduced by Senator Grisanti.

JUSTIFICATION:
This legislation was proposed following an incident of
aggravated animal cruelty involving an untrained part time animal
control officer working in Lackawanna, NY. The officer shot and
killed one cat and two kittens in the basement of an apartment
complex after being called to retrieve the animals. The highly

publicized incident brought to light the lack of qualifications and
any training of many appointed animal control officers throughout the
state. These untrained officers often do not make the proper animal
control decisions when confronted with a call. This bill establishes
a mandatory training requirement for all dog control officers and the
taking and passing of an examination of all dog control officers by
July 15, of 2013. Any person employed as a dog control officer shall
complete the training.