[Durham INC] Durham Animal Control -- or lack thereof

[Melissa Rooney]

Please see the HS story below. I can add to the concerns over the lack of action by Animal control:  
>
>
>We found a bunch of baby opossums a couple weeks ago and despite the facts that my husband was bitten by one (and the bite drew blood) and that the rehabilitation center called Animal Control several times that Monday morning to request that they test two of the opossums which died, Animal control did not test them. Fortunately the rehab center managed to get them tested at NC state. About a week later my neighbor found a bat behaving strangely (it seemed very ill) at 5:30 PM, well before dusk, and animal control said they would not test the animal unless someone reported that they had been bitten. I find this to be very disturbing. If the animal were to be tested positive, it would certainly provide a clear warning to the people living in that area. If someone contracts rabies after animal control refused to test an animal provided, I would think Durham would be open to tremendous liability.

Just wondered if others were having similar problems. I know that animal control is low on staff and is facing cuts like everyone else, but if these responses are typical, is it any wonder that citizens don't want to fund this program/department?

Melissa Rooney



>
>_________________________________
>
>
>April 17, 2010
>
>
>
>
>Great cruelty but little consequence
>
>Saturday, my son and I stopped a fight between two pit bulls in a neighbor's yard. Both animals were injured. 
>
>We called 911 and a police officer and animal control were dispatched. 
>
>The owner entered the pen although the officer told him not to. The owner picked up one dog by the collar; the officer told him to stop. 
>
>The officer told the owner that the dog was injured, but the owner threw the dog back several more times and threatened t o knock him in the head. The owner then got the more severely injured animal out of the pen.
>
>Animal Control Officer Miller arrived. 
>
>He said the pen was undersized and asked for vaccine information; none could be provided. 
>
>The owner had until Tuesday, Miller said, or he would be charged with a class four felony, and he would need to take both animals to the vet. 
>
>All day Sunday the remaining dog lay in the same position. It could wiggle its ear and barely lift its head. It received no food nor had its wounds examined.
>
>Monday, I called Miller and was told that no action could be taken until Thursday afternoon. 
>
>Tuesday, I left a message; no vet, no food. I saw the animal struggle to its feet; it appeared that its front right and left rear legs were injured. Tuesday evening I called the department and left a message; no vet, no food. 
>
>Wednesday, I received a call from animal control. Paperwork follow -up was scheduled for Thursday.
>
>STEPHEN REYNOLDS
>
>Durham
>
>
>Thanks for reading!
>The Herald-Sun - Trusted & Essential
>
>


      
-------------- next part --------------
HTML attachment scrubbed and removed