|
E. Lampeter signs stray-dog pact
BY LYNN COMMERO, Correspondent
East Lampeter Township has decided to forgo handling stray dogs on its own and instead has entered into an agreement with the newly formed Lancaster County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The supervisors unanimously approved the agreement at their meeting Feb. 4.
Township manager Ralph Hutchison said he learned about the SPCA last month and found Susan Martin, the director of the organization, to be a "very impressive person."
"The police chief and I feel it's a good relationship and would relieve our force of handling stray dogs," he said.
The township currently houses and cares for stray dogs at a kennel that was built at the township building after it severed its ties last year with the Humane League of Lancaster County.
The LCSPCA began taking strays from municipalities at the shelter at 599 Chesapeake St. on Feb. 1 and opened to the public Feb. 4.
The cost to the township to enter into an agreement with the LCSPCA this year will be $9,800, Hutchison said. Of that, $500 is the initial fee and then a total of $9,300 will be due, half of which is to be paid by June 1.
According to the agreement, the fee is based upon a per-dog charge of $300 times the number of stray dogs captured in the township last year. In 2012, the township had 31 stray dogs.
In January 2014, the LCSPCA will provide the township with a report on the number of stray dogs received and bill the township.
The LCSPCA also will provide a stray dog pickup service when requested by the township police. Stray dogs being held for pickup will be housed by the township at the municipal building at 2250 Old Philadelphia Pike.
If the owner of a stray dog arrives at the LCSPCA to claim the dog, there is a $50 fee that will go to the township, which is what the township charged last year.
"There is the potential for money to come back to the township," Hutchison said.
Residents of the township are also allowed to drop off stray cats at the LCSPCA facility.
"I think it's a nice option for us," said supervisor Dave Buckwalter.
For more Conestoga Valley area news, visit: MyConestoga ValleyNews.com
|
