Group focuses on animal control issues

The Eastside Business Association March 23 met with Animal Control Officer Melissa Miller as guest speaker.

Miller, a 12-year veteran of the organization, told the group reductions in staff from seven officers to four meant delays in responding to  complaints. Animal Control, G-4351 W. Pasadena Ave., has also changed their hours to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

People who need help after 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays should call 911.

She said the remaining control officers, no longer deputized, are now independent of the sheriff's department. Officers no longer carry guns, only mace and tranquilizer guns, but they do have the right to enter private property if they think an animal isn't being properly taken care of.

"The loss of our deputy status means that a police officer must be taken from his duties to assist us in animal control situations where a weapon is required." Miller said.

Miller reminded the group that law permits no more than three adult dogs per household.

"We depend on people to let us know when these laws are violated," Miller said.

She said medical attention should be sought when a dog bites someone. Physicians are required to notify Animal Control of dog bites so the animal can be impounded for a 10-day period to check for rabies. Miller said rabies is rare in the county but each incident must be checked.

Fighting dogs should not be reported to the agency she said.

"This is a police matter, and often it is associated with drugs, guns and other illegal activities," Miller said.

A group member asked if pit bulls were as bad as they are made out to be?

"Any dog is as bad as its owner — but a pit bull in the wrong hands is deadly," she said.

She discouraged people from sheltering stray cats and dogs and encouraged them to bring them to the Genesee County Animal Shelter in Flint.

"Some people want to start their own animal shelter without providing medical care. That results in sick animals infecting others," she said.

Licensing law requires each dog, four-months of age, to have a license and be confined on owner's property, on a leash or under direct control.

"There are no leash laws for cats," Miller said.

Dog owners can purchase a license from Dec. 1 to the last day in February for $20, or $7 for spayed or neutered dogs. March 1, license fees jump to $40. A current rabies vaccination certificate is required to purchase a license. License applications are available at all local township offices, veterinarians, Animal Control Department or the Genesee County Treasurer's Office.

In other matters, Police Officer Cary Wooster of the East Side Mini Station reported that as of March 24 the mini-station would not be manned by a police officer.

"There will be only one mini-station manned in Flint," he said.

Another member reported that people at Calvary Lutheran Church on Franklin Street would be helping people fill out census forms. Members were encouraged to fill out their forms and return them promptly.