Sheffield takes action on stray dogs

SHEFFIELD — Scott Robbins, animal control officer for the county, appeared before the Sheffield Village Board Monday evening. Robbins was in attendance because of problems some village residents are having with dogs, some of them vicious, running at large.

Robbins gave the board an option of signing a one fee per dog pick-up contract.

“This is something new that we are trying; we are finding that most villages and small towns in the area are comfortable with this type of contract. It will only cost the village if we need to come out and pick up a dog,” Robbins said.

Vicious dogs was the big concern board members had, and Robbins went on to explain that while they can and have picked up vicious dogs, their situation regarding the pick up of them is not ideal.

“We currently use a catch-pull or live-trap. We are looking into using taser guns and hope to have the OK by the county board and state’s attorney’s office within the next couple of months to proceed with this procedure. It is safer for the animal as well as for me,” Robbins said.

Questions regarding cats and other animals were also mentioned, and Robbins stressed the department only picks up dogs, not cats or wild animals.

Pick up fee for this contract is $150 with an additional fee of $50 after hours or on weekends and holidays.

“I am telling villages that if they have a crate, they can put the dog in it if its caught after hours. Then call me on Monday morning, and you’ll only have to pay $150, not $200,” Robbins said.

Animal Control will hold all dogs with collars up to five days; those without collars are held for three days. At that time, the dogs are transported to a no-kill shelter or euthanized. However, Robbins said that in the last two years, his department has picked up about 200 dogs and has had to only put down about 10 percent of those animals.

It did not take the board long to deliberate the situation and contract. All members including Mayor Bill Rosenow were in complete agreement that the contract was a necessity and needed to be approved and instated as quickly as possible.