Animal Control Officer
The Animal Control Officer (ACO) is appointed each year by the Selectboard for a 1-year term to administer and enforce Waitsfield’s Dog Ordinance (PDF) (adopted May 2020). The ACO responds to citizen complaints, handles animals in a humane and responsible manner, and deals tactfully but firmly with animal owners. Independent judgment is expected, guided by the Selectboard’s instructions and applicable state statutes. In certain instances, the Selectboard will hold a hearing to consider alleged violations of the Dog Ordinance and work with the ACO to execute any final orders or determinations. The ACO receives an annual stipend of $775.00.
Contact
The kennel at the Valley Animal Hospital serves as the town pound, and Roy Hadden, DVM, is its pound keeper.
Location: 6969 Main Street, Route 100. Phone: 802-496-3006.
The Animal Control Officer has the following specific duties:
- Respond to complaints about dogs in alleged violation of the Dog Ordinance within the town of Waitsfield.
- Apprehend and transport domestic animals in a safe and humane manner to the designated pound.
- Investigate animal bites and report them to the proper authority.
- Maintain records and prepare reports of reported incidences.
- Submit payroll requests to the Town Treasurer, including summary of calls and the disposition of the incidents.
- Develop and implement procedures where necessary with Selectboard oversight.
The Waitsfield Dog Ordinance requires that all dogs within the Town of Waitsfield that are more than six (6) months old be registered and licensed. Unlicensed dogs found running-at-large within the limits of the Town may be impounded. The owner of a dog(s) found in violation of this requirement may be charged a penalty as outlined in the Dog Ordinance. For more detail on how to license your dog, please visit the Town Clerk’s page.
Roaming unattended dogs should be reported to the ACO. If the dog is seized and the owner cannot be located, the dog will be taken to the town pound where it will be kept for a certain number of days. If, at the end of this period, the dog has not been claimed, the pound keeper will make an effort to re-home it. Dogs found to be regularly running-at-large will automatically be taken to the pound and the owner, if known, will be informed. Before the dog can be retrieved from the town pound, all fees and fines must be paid to the Town and to the pound keeper.
Lost dogs should be reported to the ACO with the following information:
- Owner's name, address and telephone number
- Description of your dog
- Date and time lost
- Location when lost