Lewis to develop its dog control policies

LOWVILLE — Town officials in Lewis County are working to institute more formal dog control policies and procedures in the wake of changes at the Lewis County Humane Society.

"We're taking a new direction," said Frederick J. Schneider, president of the Lewis County Supervisors and Mayors Association, at an association meeting Wednesday.

At Mr. Schneider's suggestion, the group formed a subcommittee to work with officials from the Humane Society and local veterinarians to develop new contracts and policies, along with a job description for town dog control officers.

Supervisors on the subcommittee will include Mr. Schneider from New Bremen, Marilyn E. Patterson from Greig, Virgil E. Taylor from Watson and Terry J. Thisse from Martinsburg. Some town clerks also likely will be part of the group.

All but a few of Lewis County's 17 towns have long contracted with Clifford C. Cook, who had managed the Humane Society's shelter on Pine Grove Road in the town of Greig. Humane Society board members on Sept. 1 removed Mr. Cook as shelter manager, citing concerns about shelter operations and personality issues. He was replaced by Charla Hosmer.

Society officials told supervisors that new policies are being implemented at the shelter to help ensure increased accountability and better care for the animals.

The former manager is still living at the residence in front of the shelter but eviction proceedings have commenced, they said.

Mr. Cook in 1998 donated the shelter to the Humane Society, and the society purchased the land and residence from Mr. Cook and his ex-wife, Janet.

Most supervisors present Wednesday indicated they plan to hire a new dog control officer when Mr. Cook's appointment expires at the end of the year. Mr. Schneider suggested that the towns could still share one or two such officers to provide a more attractive salary.

Lorraine Lautenbacher, an animal health inspector with the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, was invited to attend Wednesday's meeting. Any dog control officer should be responsible, available and have experience handling animals, she said.

She also suggested towns conduct a dog census to provide a more accurate record of canines, protect dogs and their owners in the event of an incident and provide extra funding to offset town dog-control expenses.

"You want somebody who doesn't work a full-time job," said Croghan Town Supervisor John G. Jones.

Croghan's dog control officer, Edward Lampson, over the past few years conducted a townwide dog enumeration that more than doubled the number of licensed dogs.

The idea of the county handling dog control, as in Jefferson County, has been floated by town leaders several times over the years, but it never gained sufficient traction with Lewis County officials.

Lowville Town Supervisor Arleigh D. Rice suggested the county still should support the effort to improve the shelter and dog control.

"The county could contribute something to take care of these animals," he said.

Lewis County in 2008 granted $1,500 to the Humane Society, but that item was removed from this year's budget as a cost-cutting move.