Date: Fri 04-Dec-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Jess-Mattegat-dog-pound-dogs

Full Text:

Warden Answers Complaints About The Destruction Of Dogs

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Victoria Jess is wondering where all Newtown's dogs are going. She believes

the town's dog pound is destroying far too many of them.

"Between April and September of this year, 12 dogs were put down and nine were

adopted," she said. "That's far too many dogs being put down."

Dog Warden George Mattegat disagrees with Mrs Jess's claims.

"The only dogs that we put down are dogs that are sick, dogs that are old and

dogs that people ask us to put down," he said. "We don't just put dogs down."

He pointed out that no dogs were destroyed during the months of October or

December.

Since last January Newtown Animal Control has taken in 175 dogs, according to

Mr Mattegat. Of those, only 16 were "put down." Some were old and sick, two

were biters, one had heart worms and a few more were nippers who were returned

to the pound by their adopters, according to the dog warden.

"I don't think we did bad at all," said Mr Mattegat, noting that it is his

practice to arrange to have pictures of all adoptable dogs appear in The Bee.

Mrs Jess disputed those numbers, however, saying those 175 animals could not

have all been strays. That number probably includes licensed dogs that managed

to get out from their invisible fencing, she said, a statement confirmed by Mr

Mattegat.

In a letter to the editor of The Bee written by Mrs Jess last week, she

asserts that towns such as Danbury, Easton and Bridgeport go to extraordinary

efforts to place unwanted dogs.

Danbury never destroys dogs, which is a policy that Mr Mattegat believes can

prove to be cruel.

"For old dogs that aren't being adopted, it's cruel to leave them caged up,"

said Pat Anzellotti of Newtown's canine control department. "If nobody wants

to adopt them, the state says we have the right to put them down."

So why aren't there any puppies down at the pound? According to Mr Mattegat,

residents are having their pets spayed and neutered more often. There aren't

as many animals out there. Those dogs that are brought in usually have owners

who eventually come to claim them.

"We haven't had puppies in a couple of years," Mr Mattegat said.

Mrs Jess said the money used "for the quick disposal of dogs," could be used

instead to aggressively search for good homes.

"Newtown has many dog lovers and many homes waiting for a special pet," she

said. "This rush to euthanasia must be stopped."

Newtown uses Berkshire Veterinarian for all its euthanasia needs. When the

veterinarians there are not available, dogs are taken to Town & Country

veterinarians in Stepney.