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	2007 Annual Report ANIMAL CONTROL DEPARTMENT Animal Control Officer: Diane A. Malcolmson Assistant Officers:             Paul Spender                                         Wayne Peck                                         Christina Sawelski INTRODUCTION: The Sharon Animal Control is dedicated to providing compassionate care and treatment for all impounded animals, and to the fair and impartial enforcement of animal-related laws. The Department also vigorously promotes the adoption of unclaimed animals, and provides educational programs that place emphasis on responsible pet ownership. The Department’s goal is to serve and protect the public and promote a safer community through responsible animal ownership and humane care.  CURRENT PROGRAMS/SERVICES: Provide traps for catching cats and wildlife in houses Impound loose dogs Rabies vaccination and license violation enforcement Investigation of animal complaints and neglect cases Issuance of citations and attend court hearings 24 hour emergency service for life or health threatening animal situations General information services Database of lost and found cats and dogs Adoption of dogs and cats from the shelter Educate the public on responsible pet ownership   GENERAL INFORMATION: The Town of Sharon shelters its stray animals at the Town of Canton’s Animal Shelter located behind the DPW building on Bolivar Street in Canton. Viewing of animals up for adoption can be done during the daytime hours of 9 am to 3 pm or by appointment. Please take time to come in and view the animals up for adoption and see the updates for yourself. In November the Animal Control Office was moved from the 10’ x 10’ “closet” in the basement of the Town Hall Building into the new Community Center Building on Massapoag Avenue. The office is located on the second floor of the building. The Animal Control Department has assisted in emergency removal of wild animals from homes and sick and/or injured wild animals only. Nuisance wild animal problems are now being referred to a licensed nuisance animal exterminator. An ongoing database of lost and found cats/dogs has been quite helpful in successfully reuniting owners with their pets. The department stresses the importance of keeping cats as indoor pets, thus preventing the loss of them due to coyote attacks, “hit by car”, unknown bites (which leads to quarantines), and illnesses resulting in costly veterinary bills. The department is also strongly urging pet owners to consider having their dog(s) and/or cat(s) micro-chipped for easy identification. Micro-chipping can be done by your veterinarian and is a permanent way to identify your pet should it become lost. Animal Control Departments have universal scanners which allow us to immediately locate the animal’s owner. 1,640 dogs were licensed in 2007. Citations were issued to 164 persons for unlicensed dogs which resulted in 28 hearings at the Stoughton District Court for persons still owning unlicensed dogs. Notification for licensing is done annually through the town census. The licensing period for each year runs from January 1st to May 31st. The Department can be found on the internet through a very useful and successful site, www.Petfinder.com. This site contains a wealth of information and lists animals, along with their picture, that are up for adoption at the shelter. The Animal Control Department can also be found on the Town of Sharon’s web site, www.townofsharon.net. Here you can find information on the dog/animal by-laws, animals for adoption, wildlife information, licensing, pet care tips, lost and found and frequently asked questions. The Animal Control Department relies on the donations of supplies (towels, blankets, heartworm pills, dog/cat food, carriers, pet toys, collars, leads, etc.) as well and financial donations payable to the “Town of Sharon Animal Assistance Fund”. This fund was established for the further treatment of sick or injured animals received into the shelter as well as for educational materials for the public and financial assistance in spay and neutering of animals. REPORT OF ACTIVITIES Loose Dog Complaints:           106                              Dogs Picked Up:                 26 Barking Dogs:                   71 Selectmen Hearings:             5 Other Animals Picked Up:        56 (stray cats, feral cats, kittens, cockatiel,                                                         rabbits Other Animals Injured:          102 (coyote, woodchucks, morning dove,                                                          squirrels, raccoons, fox, deer,                                                                  geese, snapping turtle, duck, birds, Animals Deceased:               88 (deer, birds, skunks, cats, dog, turkey,                                                     bats, raccoons Neglect/Cruelty Complaints:     28 Court Appearances:              17   Respectfully submitted, Diane A. Malcolmson Animal Control Officer