NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A new city commission has been formed to oversee local animal control cases and hear public appeals.

 

The Animal Control Commission held its inaugural organizational meeting Wednesday, Aug. 5, and Mayor Jennifer Macksey presented the new commissioners with background on why the city formed the new public body.

 

"We wanted to form this commission of people who like animals, but people who are realistic that they are animals. We need to have some guard rails and also to be supportive or not supportive of the cases that we bring forward," Macksey said. "This isn't going to be a 'let's kill a dog' kind of commission, but there may be decisions where you decide to euthanize a dog, or there may be a time when we need to restrain a dog, or we need to do something better with cats, lizards, or snakes."

 

Commissioners include Randall Kemp, Lisa Pisano, Kristen Gleason, Damon Grimes, and Glenn Murray. Kemp will serve as chairman, and Grimes will serve as vice chairman.

 

Macksey said the city has reflected on procedures in place regarding animals and enforcement. Previously, decisions fell to the Animal Control Officer (ACO) and the police. If someone wanted to appeal, it came down to a single hearings officer, who recently retired. Further study showed this setup was not fully in compliance with Massachusetts General Law.

 

She added that the City Council is working through a compliant ordinance for animal control, noting that the commission will be able to suggest and help craft policy.

 

ACO Mathew Reynolds confirmed that the overwhelming majority of cases will involve dogs, a point the mayor agreed with.

 

"We will go to a house and tell the owners that they have to register their dog, they have to kennel their dog, you have to restrain your dog," Macksey said. "When they don't, then what do we do? Or if we issue an order and they want to appeal it, that is when they come to the commission."

 

Police Chief Mark Bailey said he views the commission as the judicial branch of animal control.

 

"When it comes across our desk, we're going to do the investigation. We're going to give you all the facts we possibly can, and we're going to come to a decision, the best decision that we can under our bylaws," he said. "Then sometimes we'll bring it to you for a final decision."

 

Other times, a resident may want to appeal a decision made by the city.

 

"If they want to appeal it, then you can hear their side. You can hear our side, and then you'll be the final decision," Bailey said.

 

Bailey noted that where the city does not have a clear ordinance regarding penalties, the commission can impose fines and other enforcement actions.

 

Bailey said the commission can also issue warrants allowing the police and ACO to collect at-large or unregistered dogs. Those animals will be held for seven days; if no owner claims or registers them, they will be put up for adoption or euthanized.

 

While Bailey noted that dogs running loose throughout the city is rarely an issue, unregistered dogs remain a persistent problem.

 

"We have several unregistered dogs and Matt tries his best with people, but there are, no pun intended, no teeth really behind it," the Mayor said. "That's what we're looking for: recommendations on how we do that diplomatically. People just don't want to register their dogs."

 

Macksey said there are already pending cases, and the commission will have decisions to make at its next meeting.

 

"We did not want to present to you tonight only because we wanted you to kind of get your feet wet, get organized, have an opportunity to read your binder," she said. "But then our next meeting, we'll send you the cases. This is not for everyone... think about what has been shared today, and if it's not for you, I respect that. But I also need some help, and I chose you because of your experiences and your willingness to wanting to serve the community."