Dog Control protocols need review and updating

[Lee Chowaniec]

At the July 5, 2016 Lancaster town board work session a Dog Control Officer (DCO) appeared at the work session to report that he had been bitten in the upper arm by a stray dog (pit bull mix). The DCO claims he was feeding the dog at the time, pushing the bowl in “very gently”. From resident questioning it was discovered the DCO was not wearing Kevlar arm protective gloves; (claiming he didn’t have any) and was asking to be provided with them. “Had I had them I would not have suffered a wound.”

Attendees were informed:

Some dogs are kenneled for only hours before being picked up by the owner, some for five days.

As the four cage kennel was fully occupied Lancaster contacted Alden and Cheektowaga to see whether they were able to take the dog in. They were not. ”Supervisor Johanna Coleman informed the board that the town had an agreement with the SPCA to accept dogs that were not aggressive, having behavioral issues or biters.

“If the dog is a general threat to the public it has to be taken down,” declared the DCO. “That is the rule.” The dog was held for five days and taken (from all appearances) to a vet to be euthanized. Fortunately, that did not happen.

Residents question town board on protocols

At the recent town board meeting Lancaster residents Debbie Lemaster and Lee Chowaniec thanked and commended Town Board member Matt Walter for his help in assisting to save a stray dogs life – a stray dog with a collar indicating an owner no longer wanting the animal.

Lemaster addresses board.

Lemaster, an avid animal lover and member of the WNY Lost and Found Pets and the writer were present at the work session and had some concerns about the dog control operation. Lemaster’s interests peaked when she began reading Facebook posts that indicated that things did not bode for the dog’s welfare.

Reading that the dog was taken to a vet to be euthanized, she was also in contact with people who were reporting that the dog was not aggressive at the vet facility, was socializing with the other animals and while being observed only displayed minor cage aggressiveness. The animal facility refused to euthanize the dog and ultimately found a rescue shelter for the dog where he will be put up for adoption.

Lemaster informed the board that she and Chowaniec went to visit the new four-kennel operation to see how the dogs were being housed and managed. Finding three piles of waste and fresh urine, and unable to reach the DCO, Lemaster contacted Councilman Walter. He immediately contacted a DCO and had the outdoor caged section cleaned and the dog attended to.

Lemaster asked whether the dogs were taken out of the kennels for walks/exercise as there is no enclosed area for the dogs to move about. Walter responded that the town is looking at instating new protocols and such area will be considered. “We are not done yet, and there is a lot of misinformation out there,” declared Walter. “It is a work in progress and it has not been completed as yet. We are working on a protocol on how to handle the situation when there is an overflow at our kennels and the same is true at the SPCA when occasions like the Fourth of July fireworks scare the dogs and they take off.”

Walter declared he visits the kennel daily to ensure the DCO’S are doing their jobs and that the dogs are being treated properly. He hopes to have in place protocols in the next few weeks that would address a dog going unclaimed for 2-3 days and in finding a rescue center before considering having a dog euthanized. Lemaster declared that she hoped such protocol was already in place for the dog in question.

Supervisor Johanna Coleman interjected that 90% of the dogs are in for one day or less, but that there was a need for a protocol to address the exception situations to ensure dogs are not euthanized until behaviorists make a determination that the dog is not a threat and all where all avenues of finding a home for the dog are exhausted.

Chowaniec addresses board

I also commend Councilman Walter for his concern and assistance in the matter otherwise a good dog might have been put down.

There has been much change taking place since the failed agreement with Clarence to shelter our stray dogs. It was stated that the town will adopt new protocols. For clarification, what protocols do we have in place now to handle and house dogs until picked up by an owner or housed at the kennel for five days.

Chowaniec: Who does the DCO in charge report to?

Supervisor Coleman: Lieutenant Gumbo; a former DCO who inspects the operation. Thank God that Dan Highway Superintendent Amatura) and Matt (Walter) help to ensure the dogs are fed and have water. Others help out as well.

Chowaniec: The reason I ask on the chain of command is because as you just stated Mr. Amatura and Mr. Lubera have assisted in setting up the operation and in doing so have saved the town significant dollars by not outside contracting the current operation and having to pay prevailing wages. They play no role in the operations of the Dog Control Department as some seem to think.

Supervisor Coleman: The DCO’S first report to Lieutenant Gumbo and then contact my office if further direction is needed. And then they can contact Matt (Walter).

Chowaniec: And that’s because Mr. Walter is the Dog Control operation town board Committee Chair?

Coleman: But Gumbo is a former DCO and he knows dogs.

Chowaniec: Speaking of knowing dogs, how many part time DCO’s are on staff?

Coleman: I think we have five. (Six some board member interjected)*

Chowaniec: I believe there were 10 at one time.

Coleman: Not that I know of.

Walter: There might have been 7; maybe 6.

Chowaniec: Are there any job requirements to be met to become a part time DCO in Lancaster; any certifications needed to be a part time DCO; any training on handling dogs or education needed to prevent a DCO from being bit and/or for making an observation and determination that the dog in question is not overly aggressive or anti-social and later cause for euthanization?

Coleman: No, except for some training on operation expectations.

Chowaniec: Apparently, not enough. Had the DCO who attended the last board work session to report on the dog bite been wearing the protective hand/arm gear required to handle a dog he would not have been bitten. He openly admitted he had no such gear – nor a cage to be in his vehicle to handle an aggressive dog; one required to transfer a dog to the custody of other agencies.

When the program to use part time DCO’S was instated a few years ago I asked the same question of then council member Mar Aquino the same question and he answered that this is not rocket science and that anyone can do the DCO job. I disagreed then and do so now. This has become a patronage position without the regard of having people in place who care about dogs enough to know how to handle them.

Chowaniec: How frequently are the dogs fed, given water and having their waste removed.

Councilman Walter: As they work 12 hour shifts the dogs are cared for once in that shift’s time. I drive by there every day to make sure the dogs are being looked after.

Chowaniec: When Lemaster and I visited the kennel at 9:30 am there were three piles of solid waste and a large area of urine. What is the floor composition of the outdoor section of the shelter cage? It appears to be something other than concrete and capable of absorbing waste liquids and disintegrating in the future; and in the meantime emitting odors?

Walter: Non absorbing material on top and concrete below – easily hosed down and right into the drain.

Chowaniec: Thank you; just a closing comment. As an animal lover, as many others, this curiosity was triggered by the recent event of a DCO being bitten in the upper arm by a dog he considered to be aggressive and one capable of being an uncontrolled repetitive biter. The animal was observed in a vet’s office for several days (a behaviorist) and found to be social and no personal threat - if anything the opposite socializing with other animals at the facility; even cats.

It was noted when the bitten DCO attended the previous meetings work session to report the incident, he openly admitted he was unprepared to handle the dog in not wearing the necessary protective hand/arm gear to safely a dog and later requested a cage to put in the back of his truck to separate himself from the likes of an aggressive dog. Had the DCO been wearing the protective gear he would not have been bitten.

It is good to hear that the town is in the process of reviewing and updating its protocols in the Dog Control Department to prevent such happening in the future – one although infrequent, handled improperly and costly. I would hope that in the future capable people are hired and given adequate training. Lost/stray dogs are under duress when picked up and may very well show aggressive tendencies that are not present under normal conditions. We do need DCO'S that know how to handle such situations.

*Time did not allow to ask how six part time DCO’S (19 hours or less) were enough to manage a 24/7 day operation and with 12 hr. shifts; 7x24 =168 hrs in the week. 168/6 = 28 hrs per week per DCO. I am sure there must be some schedule to accommodate the need.

[Save Us]

interesting,

I would imagine and hope that the individuals that have applied for the positions either have the requisite compassion and ability to read dog behavior. .At the very least get training and continuing education for such. Then again even a seasoned street cop gets a few abrasions from time to time.

[DebLemaster]

I am still trying to figure out how six (6) "on call" employees are covering everything. As much as I appreciate what Matt is doing, I wish the board would consider hiring a full time "experienced" dog handler as DCO. As it stands right now, where is the accountability? You have on call employees that have little or no incentive to check on the dogs with exception of once during their 12 hour shift. I am also very concerned about dogs that spend more than 2 days at the facility. They should be walked on a leash at least once a day or more. This is not happening.

[shortstuff]

Thank you Deb Lemaster for looking into this and spearheading the chain of command to become proactive in the care of these animals.

Matt Walters, your quick response is appreciated.

Thanks Lee for your reporting!

Where is Wehner in this and his position since he so emphatically has claimed his excellence/skills as past DCO?

[WNYresident]

I am still trying to figure out how six (6) "on call" employees are covering everything. As much as I appreciate what Matt is doing, I wish the board would consider hiring a full time "experienced" dog handler as DCO. As it stands right now, where is the accountability? You have on call employees that have little or no incentive to check on the dogs with exception of once during their 12 hour shift. I am also very concerned about dogs that spend more than 2 days at the facility. They should be walked on a leash at least once a day or more. This is not happening.

How do other towns handle dog control issues? I would review that first before hiring another employee.

[DebLemaster]

How do other towns handle dog control issues? I would review that first before hiring another employee.

Most towns have a full time DCO.
Cheektowaga, for example, has one of the best facilities in Cheektowaga.
Lancaster always did have a full time officer until he passed away.
The town is trying to save money but that is not OK if we do not get the services required to care for the dogs.

[WNYresident]

What would be wrong with looking into using a volunteer group and/or just the SPCA in general?

Next question. Seeing how towns waste money regularly on items why wouldn't the DCO not have basic safety gloves? I wouldn't consider safety gloves a waste seeing it would protect the property owners from a lawsuit by a town employee for being bitten on the job.



http://bitebuster.com/collections/gloves-sleeves

If someone wants to pick a pair from the above website I will be more than glad to purchase a pair and donate them.

[DebLemaster]

Sorry!!!!
Should say "best facilities in Erie County"....

[DebLemaster]

They will be getting their gloves from the town.

[Lee Chowaniec]

How do other towns handle dog control issues? I would review that first before hiring another employee.

As was stated by a former town board in the report, "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to be a DCO." It shouldn't take a rocket scientist (the town) to develop 'best practice' protocols that are in the best interest of an animal.

[Wehner]

Seems to me that every time I brought up dog control issues in the past I was cast aside by the town board. Everything was in the name of cost control and waste. Dino and his lapdog town board wouldn't give me the time of day when I inquired about procedures at the dco operation. I am so disappointed that I missed the dog and pony show Monday. We still have a long way to go in dog control in Lancaster. I can only hope for the best.....

[DebLemaster]

One of my main concerns is the fact that dogs can be euthanized after the mandatory 5 day hold. Yes, I am aware that the rules and regulations come from NYS Agriculture and Markets. Outdated rules and regulations that should be updated. That being said, I am happy that the current town board is doing everything possible to ensure dogs go to the SPCA or a rescue in lieu of being put down. I seem to remember hearing that as a previous DCO, you put down more dogs than any other Lancaster DCO. Can you explain how you determined which dogs should be euthanized and why you did not look into assistance from rescue groups?

[Wehner]

One of my main concerns is the fact that dogs can be euthanized after the mandatory 5 day hold. Yes, I am aware that the rules and regulations come from NYS Agriculture and Markets. That being said, I am happy that the current town board is doing everything possible to ensure dogs go to the SPCA or a rescue in lieu of being put down. I seem to remember hearing that as a previous DCO, you put down more dogs than any other Lancaster DCO. Can you explain how you determined which dogs should be euthanized and why you did not look into assistance from rescue groups?

I will be glad to answer your concerns , because obviously you have been talking to some who doesn't know the facts. I look forward to speaking with you. After all WE do have the same GOALS....

[DebLemaster]

I will be glad to answer your concerns , because obviously you have been talking to some who doesn't know the facts. I look forward to speaking with you. After all WE do have the same GOALS....

Mike, I am not criticizing you. I am just trying to understand WHY it was mentioned that you had have more dogs euthanized. Please attend the next meeting so we can chat. ...
BTW: I am not talking to anyone about this matter. I became involved after reading negative comments on WNY Lost and found. As an animal lover, I want what is best for the dogs that spend time in our facility.

[Save Us]

One of my main concerns is the fact that dogs can be euthanized after the mandatory 5 day hold. Yes, I am aware that the rules and regulations come from NYS Agriculture and Markets. Outdated rules and regulations that should be updated. That being said, I am happy that the current town board is doing everything possible to ensure dogs go to the SPCA or a rescue in lieu of being put down. I seem to remember hearing that as a previous DCO, you put down more dogs than any other Lancaster DCO. Can you explain how you determined which dogs should be euthanized and why you did not look into assistance from rescue groups?

It would be nice when dealing with animals that standards and regulations were actually exceeded. The minimum doesn't always mean the most desirable.